KP floods leave 386 dead, cause Rs20bn losses

PESHAWAR: Recent torrential rains, cloudbursts and flash floods have caused massive destruction in northern districts of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, leaving 386 dead and inflicting an estimated loss of Rs20 billion on the province’s infrastructure.

This was revealed in an initial report of the Provincial Disaster Management Authority (PDMA) submitted to Chief Minister Ali Amin Gandapur on Wednesday.

The report stated that government departments and institutions had suffered extensive damage, with 603 official buildings hit across 20 departments.

Battagram was the worst affected with 214 damaged government properties, followed by Swat (97), Bajaur (65) and Mansehra (58).

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The natural calamity destroyed 37 schools, 83 roads and 10 bridges, while 226 irrigation channels and 68 water supply schemes were also damaged.

The irrigation department alone suffered Rs10bn in losses, communication and works Rs3bn, education Rs1bn, and public health engineering Rs210m.

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The PDMA further reported that 386 people had lost their lives and 182 were injured in rain- and flood-related incidents, while 1,398 houses were damaged.

Buner reported the highest casualties with 228 deaths, followed by Swabi with 41.

Rs20b approved for reconstruction

Additionally, in a cabinet meeting chaired by the chief minister, a briefing was given on ongoing relief and rehabilitation efforts. The cabinet approved a Rs20bn grant for reconstruction of the damaged infrastructure.

Meanwhile, the PDMA has released Rs1.29bn to deputy commissioners of 11 affected districts for relief and compensation payments.

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The allocations include Rs700m for Buner, Rs200m for Shangla, Rs100m for Mansehra, Rs60m for Swabi, Rs50m for Bajaur, Rs40m each for Battagram and Swat, Rs30m for Lower Dir, and Rs10m each for Upper Kohistan, Lower Kohistan and Kolai Palas.