Floods claim 118 lives across country: NDMA

04 Aug, 2015

Rescue and relief operation is in full swing in the flood-hit areas across the country that claimed 118 lives. According to National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) data, 118 people have so far lost their lives due to floods, of which 59 died in Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa, 22 in Punjab, 20 in Azad Jammu and Kashmir, 10 in Balochistan and five in Gilgit-Baltistan.
Sixty-one people have also been injured in flood-related incidents of which 26 were injured in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, 24 in Balochistan, five in Azad Jammu and Kashmir and two in Gilgit-Baltistan and four in Punjab. About 450,000 people have been shifted to the safer places from the flood-hit areas. The floods have damaged 2,747 houses, affected 2,073 villages and 817,713 people all over the country.
Over 32,000 tents have been provided to the flood victims. Other relief goods include 2009 tons of ration, 1500 tarpaulins and 8467 blankets. About 481 relief camps and 150 medical camps have also been set up for the flood affectees. Over 342 rescue boats, 1180 life jackets and 100 life rings have also been provided for the rescue of stranded people. In wake of recent flood, River Indus at Chashma is high while at Guddu and Sukkur Barrages it is in very High flood. This situation is expected to remain the same during next seven days. NDMA chairman Major General Asghar Nawaz visited Sukkur on Monday to assess and oversee the measures carried out by the local administration to offset the probable affect of floods.
A high level meeting reviewed current flood situation, state of river flows and measures undertaken to ensure timely relief assistance in case of any unlikely situation. Chief Minister Sindh expressed satisfaction over the relief measures being undertaken by all relevant departments. In view of high flood peaks moving downstream to River Indus, the chairman NDMA also undertook visit to Sukkur Barrage to monitor flood levels. Chief Engineer Sukkur briefed Chairman NDMA about the maintenance of river inflows & outflows and its management accordingly, vulnerable points and measures undertaken to cope with any unlikely circumstances.
Commissioner Sukkur briefed about the affected population, camp management for the affected population and ongoing flood relief activities. He also assured that all possible assistance to the PDMA. The briefing was also attended by DG PDMA Sindh, incharge camp office, chief engineer Sukkur and chief engineer Guddu Barrages, officials from Sindh Irrigation Department along with representatives of local civil and military officials. The visit was followed by aerial reconnaissance of vulnerable points at Larkana, Khairpur, Kashmore and Nowshero Feroze on August 3, 2015. In order to assess the current situation Prime Minister Mian Muhammad Nawaz Sharif would also visit Sukkur tomorrow to monitor and oversee the ongoing rescue & relief activities.

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