PESHAWAR: The Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) government has detailed a comprehensive relief and rehabilitation plan for victims of the devastating floods that hit the province starting August 15.
The calamity, triggered by cloudbursts and torrential rains, severely affected the districts of Buner, Swat, Shangla, Bajaur, Mansehra, and Swabi. Official figures state that 406 people lost their lives and 245 were injured in various incidents. The disaster also caused widespread damage to infrastructure, completely destroying 664 houses, partially damaging 2,431 more, and damaging 511 roads, 77 bridges, and 2,123 shops.
Chief Minister Ali Amin Gandapur, in a video statement, outlined the government’s response and recovery strategy. He stated that rescue agencies were immediately mobilized on the morning of August 15, leading to the successful rescue of 5,566 people and the recovery of 430 bodies.
Following the rescue phase, a large-scale relief operation was launched. The government has provided cooked food to 119,000 people, established 70 medical camps, and delivered 125 trucks of relief materials to the affected areas. Significant progress has been made in restoring access, with 136 link roads and 65 bridges already reopened.
A major component of the government’s plan is a significantly enhanced compensation package for victims. The CM announced that compensation for deaths has been doubled to Rs. 2 million per person, while compensation for the injured has been increased to Rs. 5 million. Payments for completely and partially damaged houses have also been raised substantially.
Furthermore, for the first time, the government will provide compensation for damaged shops, lost crops, gardens, and livestock.
To ensure transparency and speed, the government has introduced a digital payment system. Authorities have been given a deadline of next Sunday to complete all compensation payments. So far, Rs. 654 million has been disbursed to the families of 350 deceased individuals.
The provincial government has released Rs. 6.5 billion for relief efforts and will soon release an additional Rs. 5 billion. In a show of solidarity, cabinet members, provincial assembly members, and government employees have decided to donate one month’s salary to the relief fund.
CM Gandapur also made two significant pledges: the KP government will bear all expenses for children orphaned by the floods, and efforts are underway to permanently relocate populations from high-risk flood zones to safer areas.
Concluding his message, the Chief Minister expressed solidarity with flood victims in Punjab and offered the KP government’s assistance if needed.
Also read: KP govt to provide additional Rs 20 billion for ongoing projects
