- PM announces Rs 500,000 as compensation to families of each deceased, Rs 50,000 for each injured
- KP ministers blame Meteorological Dept for massive losses, say it failed to timely warn govt of mega storm
The death toll in the devastation caused by the “mini cyclone” in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) has reached 45, and has crossed 200 injuries in different rain-related incidents.
Torrential rains and winds blowing at 110 Km/hour caused massive damages in Peshawar, Mardan, Nowshera and other areas of the province, causing roofs to cave in and walls to collapse.
Rescuers rushed victims to hospitals and faced great difficulty because the roads were submerged in water. Ambulances and rescue vehicles found it difficult to enter into some areas due to fallen trees and electric poles. Residents carried some of the injured on their backs to cars heading towards hospitals.
Most of the victims were shifted to Peshawar’s Lady Reading Hospital (LRH). As the number of casualties kept mounting, it became obvious that LRH could not cope with the influx of injured. Fresh arrivals where thenceforth taken to the Khyber Teaching Hospital.
CENTRE ANNOUNCES RELIEF PACKAGE:
While extending his condolences on the loss of life and property due to the torrential rains, Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif approved a package of Rs 500,000 for the family of each deceased person and Rs 50,000 for each injured.
Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) leader Imran Khan’s wife Reham Khan also visited victims in Lady Reading Hospital Peshawar.
While speaking to reporters, Reham said, “We stand by the affectees in their hour of need.” She added that most of the victims sustained head injuries and they are being provided with the best medical facilities.
Reham Khan said aid was being delivered to the rain affected areas. She said it was regretful that a warning could not be given for the bad weather, which lashed Peshawar and other areas of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.
KP Chief Minister Pervez Khattak also visited the injured and assured all possible treatment for them.
Two army battalions have been deployed in the affected areas for rescue and relief work.
KP ministers held a brief press conference Monday and declared PMD responsible for the destruction and losses of innocent lives. KP Information Minister Mushtaq Ghani said that it was PMD’s responsibility to issue the climate advisory. He said that at least Rs 100 million more have been granted to the district administration. The power network is partially destroyed in Peshawar due to the storm, he added.