The Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Ali Amin Gandapur on Saturday said that the federal government and provincial chief ministers have assured full cooperation in the wake of devastating cloudbursts and floods that struck several districts of the province.
Speaking to The Express Tribune during his visit to flood-hit Buner, the chief minister said that the natural calamity has caused large-scale destruction, but the provincial government is determined to utilize all available resources to ease the hardships of the victims.
“We will fully compensate the losses of flood-affected people. In this difficult hour, no one will be left alone. Our first priority is to provide all necessary facilities to the victims,” Gandapur said, adding that once the immediate relief work is completed, the government will assess the scale of destruction and begin reconstruction.
The chief minister noted that while rain and flood alerts had been issued earlier, cloudbursts in Bajaur and Buner could not be predicted, which resulted in heavy floods, loss of lives, and widespread devastation. He said the provincial government is deploying all resources for relief, and expressed sorrow over the helicopter crash in Bajaur, which was carrying aid supplies for flood victims.
“I am personally supervising all operations, while the chief secretary and the entire administration are closely monitoring the situation. Wherever support is needed, it will be provided without delay,” he assured.
Gandapur said that over Rs3 billion have already been released for relief and rehabilitation efforts, and more funds will be issued as required.
Meanwhile, Chief Minister chaired an emergency meeting to review the devastation caused by cloudbursts, heavy rains, and flash floods across the province.
The meeting, attended by the Chief Secretary, divisional commissioners, deputy commissioners, senior officials, and representatives of the Provincial Disaster Management Authority (PDMA), also offered prayers for officials who lost their lives in a helicopter crash in Bajaur during relief duties.
Officials briefed the CM that 309 people have died and 23 others sustained injuries in various rain and flood-related incidents. Sixty-three houses were partially damaged, while assessments of losses to roads and infrastructure continue. Rescue efforts are largely complete, and relief and rehabilitation have begun.
