Chief Minister Balochistan Jam Muhammed Yousaf called for convening international donors' conference to assist in rehabilitation of the flood affected people of Balochistan.
Addressing a press conference here on Wednesday he said that Army and Frontier Corps officials engaged in rescue and relief operation in flood-hit areas of the province have described the size of destruction caused by recent spate of torrential rains and flash floods in the province more than that suffered by Kashmir and Kohistan area of NWFP during the October tremor. He said that World Bank would assess the quantum of losses caused by the floods in the province.
The Chief Minister said that he himself has witnessed the scene of destruction by devastating floods in Sibi, Jhal Magsi, Nasirabad, Jaferabad, and Turbat. He was told by the officials engaged in relief activities that the total damages may exceed Rs 80 billion.
To a question, he said that almost all roads have been opened by NHA and concerned agencies excepting repair of one bridge on coastal highway, which is likely to be ready for traffic by Thursday. Therefore there is no obstacle in reaching out the affected areas through land routes and the relief work is in full swing elsewhere.
He denied allegations that many areas were not being provided with relief goods at all or in small quantities and said there is no shortage of relief goods as C-130 Army planes are brining relief goods regularly to all affected district undisrupted while helicopters are further distributing these items among the needy either by landing there or air dropping where they find no place to land. He himself has witnessed distribution of goods at different affected places through out the province during the last few days.
He said 11 flights of C-130 would be operated on Wednesday to the affected areas. He told a questioner that there is no road in Karakh and Mula area that situated in a narrow valley and he has instructed the Communication and Works department to construct a road to the area without delay. No one is stranded there and the helicopters are dropping essential items for them. Even Tehsil Nazim Ali Muhammed himself had told him that they are dropping food to the population of the area who are living in their homes and are not displaced.
Replying to another question, the Chief Minister said that so for 170 people have been reported missing through out the province and in all 132 deaths have been confirmed. When asked how many people have been affected Jam said that they are numbered between 1.2 to 1.4 million. In Turbat district alone some 20 to 25 thousand homes have been washed away by the floodwater.
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