Maryam phones Gandapur, offers help for flood-hit KP

ISLAMABAD: Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz on Friday phoned Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) Chief Minister Ali Amin Gandapur to express grief over the loss of lives in the province following a government helicopter crash and widespread destruction caused by cloudbursts, landslides and flash floods.

According to the Provincial Disaster Management Authority (PDMA), at least 189 people, including women and children, were killed as deadly floods hit different parts of Malakand Division and adjoining areas in KP,, with Buner being the worst-affected district by the latest monsoon spell.

A KP government helicopter en route to flood-affected areas in Bajaur for rescue operations crashed during the mission, killing all five on board, including two pilots.

According to an official statement, Maryam Nawaz conveyed her condolences to the families of those killed in the helicopter tragedy and assured Gandapur that the Punjab government’s resources were at the disposal of KP for relief efforts.

“The people of Punjab share the sorrow of their brothers and sisters in KP,” she said, adding that she was also extending condolences on behalf of former prime minister Nawaz Sharif.

Gandapur thanked Maryam Nawaz for her call and for offering assistance to the people of KP in the wake of the calamity.

The recent spell of extreme weather has wreaked havoc across multiple districts of KP, Gilgit-Baltistan and Azad Jammu and Kashmir.

In Buner alone, over 150 people have died and many remain missing after a cloudburst triggered floods that swept away several villages, destroying homes, livestock and vehicles.

In Bajaur, floods and landslides following a cloudburst claimed at least 21 lives, while in Mansehra, 16 bodies were recovered downstream in Battagram after flash floods swept them away at night.

Buner, Bajaur, Mansehra and Battagram have been declared calamity-hit areas.