Web Desk (LTN NEWS): Millions of people were distressed and waiting for aid in all four provinces of Pakistan on Friday as a result of the constant flooding and rain, especially in Balochistan and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa where enormous devastations were recorded in a single day.
Rain-induced flooding has devastated infrastructure and cut off communication, but rescue and relief efforts are still difficult because air, train, and road networks have been blocked in some of the most seriously affected areas, particularly in Balochistan.
Due to a significant overnight downpour, communication in Balochistan was cut down earlier today. However, today’s communications were resumed by the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA).
As a result, those affected have lost all hope while they wait to be saved and sent to safer areas. In flood-affected areas, some victims are also waiting for relief supplies.
A British-era railroad bridge between Kolpur and Mach in Bolan Pass washed away in floodwaters and cut off Quetta, the capital of Balochistan, a day earlier, according to an official.
All four routes connecting Balochistan with other provinces throughout the nation were shut by damaged bridges and landslides.
According to authorities, the province has seen more than 235 fatalities to date and hundreds of thousands of homes destroyed as a result of the disastrous flooding.
Interior Ministry approves army deployment
Following the flood disaster, the Interior Ministry authorized the deployment of the Pakistan Army in each of the country’s four provinces. Civic governments will receive assistance from the military to ensure a smooth relief effort.
According to the ministry, a summary has been given to the federal cabinet for final approval in accordance with Article 245.
Army opens a Rawalpindi flood relief facility
In order to monitor and coordinate the nation’s flood relief efforts alongside Military Operations Directorate, the Pakistan Army established the army flood relief center at the Army Air Defence Command Headquarters in Rawalpindi, according to a statement from the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR).
According to the military’s media wing, flood relief centers have been set up across the nation to help with the gathering, transportation, and distribution of flood relief supplies to flood victims in various provinces.
The statement went on to say that the forces are moving people to safer areas while also giving flood victims shelter, food, and medical attention.
Additionally, during his visit to Karachi today, Chief of Army Staff (COAS) General Qamar Javed Bajwa was briefed on the flood situation in Sindh and Balochistan. General Bajwa provided an overview of the reaction actions to support flood victims.
According to the ISPR, COAS “will visit army forces engaged in rescue and relief activities in Sindh and Balochistan.”
Telecom providers offer a zero balance call option
On the directives of Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, all mobile service providers would provide a ‘zero balance call facility to all the people in flood-affected areas.
The prime minister instructed the Ministry of IT to act right away to enhance public rescue and relief operations.
Numerous pleas are being made to help Pakistani flood victims
The floods that have devastated Pakistan have affected almost 33 million people, and Prime Minister Shahbaz Sharif has pleaded with friendly countries and donors to help with ongoing rescue and recovery efforts.
During a meeting with a select group of ambassadors, high commissioners, and other senior members of the diplomatic corps based in Islamabad to inform them of the flood situation, PM Shahbaz reaffirmed his call for assistance.
The prime minister gave a briefing to meeting participants from Australia, Canada, China, Japan, Kuwait, United Arab Emirates, Turkiye, South Korea, USA, Germany, Bahrain, European Union, France, Oman, Qatar, UK, and Saudi Arabia. “More than 900 people, including 300 children, have lost their lives and 1300 have been injured so far,” he said. The country representative of the World Food Programme (WFP) was also present at the meeting.
PM Shahbaz declares Rs 15 billion for Sindh
Shahbaz Sharif, the prime minister, announced a gift totaling Rs15 billion for flood victims in Sindh.
The announcement was made after the prime minister visited Sukkur to assess the state of relief and recovery efforts in the disaster-stricken province, where he was greeted by Bilawal Bhutto Zardari, the foreign minister, Syed Khursheed Shah, the minister of water resources, and Syed Murad Ali Shah, the chief minister of Sindh.
The chairman of the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA), the district administration and representatives from Sukkur, the chief secretary of Sindh, and the chief engineer of the Sukkur Barrage gave the PM an update on the state of the relief and recovery activities.
The PM flew over flood-affected areas in Sukkur, Rohri, Khairpur, Faiz Ganj, Kot Diji, and Thari Mir Wah during his tour of the affected areas.
During his stay, he visited with affected individuals. During their conversation, the PM reaffirmed the government’s commitment to helping the flood victims.
The PM noted that over 900 people lost their lives to floods in the previous three months, along with significant losses to crops and cattle.
PM Shahbaz made an announcement during his visit that the Benazir Income Support Program (BISP) would begin disbursing Rs25,000 to each household as of right now.
A joint survey between federal and provincial government departments is being conducted to evaluate the damages, PM Shahbaz said, adding that “in one week, about Rs28 billion would be given to the affected people.” He also praised the efforts of the provincial government and Pakistan Army during the devastations.
There are now 43 food assistance camps in Sindh that offer food and medical care to residents.
During the KP’s Swat flood, a hotel was destroyed
A large hotel was submerged in floodwater earlier today in Kalam, a valley in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa’s Swat province, as seen in a video that quickly went popular on social media.
The hotel, which is on the Swat River’s bank, was evacuated in advance, and no casualties were noted. Authorities also evacuated nearby businesses due to the collapse of the hotel.
The National Highway Authority (NHA) has issued a warning to travelers in the Swat neighborhoods of Bahrain and Kalam of the potential for flooding-like conditions in the district after heavy rain.
The rainfall caused significant damage to the N-95 and N-90 motorways in the Bahrain-Kalam region, according to the notice.
A representative for NHA claimed that, aside from the Bahrain-Kalam road, floods had harmed the Bahrain Bridge, the approach road, and the nearby tracks.
The spokesperson advised against needless travel for both visitors and residents of Swat.
KP government declared an emergency
The administration of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa has declared an emergency that will last till August 30 due to the enormous amount of damage that the floods in Swat have caused. According to a statement released by the KP relief department, the emergency has been declared in order to guarantee the supply of relief operations in the disaster-hit area.
Mahmood Khan, the chief minister of KP, has given instructions requesting that the Provincial Disaster Management Authority (PDMA) expedite relief efforts in Swat and prioritize providing groceries, prepared food, and other supplies to the affected people.
According to the district government, communication bridges in Matta, Sukhra, and Swat’s Lalko have also been destroyed.
On the Mingora Bypass, some restaurants and hotels were sunk, and the Swat Mingora Bypass Road has been blocked to traffic due to flooding.
Emergency control room established by KP’s CM secretariat
To track the flooding situation throughout the province, an emergency control room has been established up at the KP Chief Minister’s Secretariat with immediate effect.
The notification sent out by the secretariat stated, “Muhammad Hayat, Additional Secretary is hereby appointed as focal person/in command of the emergency control room.”
With the necessary authorities and stakeholders from all throughout the province, the control room will coordinate all operations and information, including emergencies.
Flood warnings from “high to extremely high” according to PMD
According to a warning from the Flood Forecasting Division of the Pakistan Meteorological Department (PMD), based on the most recent hydro-meteorological conditions and Tarbela Dam releases, the River Indus at Kalabagh and Chashma may reach “high to very high flood level” between 5,50,000 cusecs and 7,00,000 cusecs from 12 am on August 27 to 12 am on August 28.
The warning stated, “Given the foregoing situation, all relevant authorities are recommended to be vigilant and take all required preventive steps well in advance to avoid loss of life and property.”
River Swat registered a high amount of water flow
According to a flood warning issued on Friday, water flows in the River Swat at Khawazakhela point and its tributaries/nullahs reached high to very high flood levels, or 227,899 cusecs, which “may create a perilous situation for those living nearby.
To “quickly identify vulnerable points and communities at danger to create mitigation and safety measures,” deputy commissioners of Swat, Malakand, Lower Dir, Mohmand, Mardan, Charsadda, Peshawar, and Nowshera have been given instructions.
The PDMA has also given authorities instructions on how to save and remove cattle from flood-prone areas. They have also requested restrictions on the movement of vehicles in the area.
Imran Khan, the leader of PTI, assesses the flood situation in KP
Imran Khan, the chairman of the PTI, and Mahmood Khan, the chief minister of KP, today oversaw the situation in the flood-affected villages in Dera Ismail Khan and Tank. After being given a bird’s-eye view of the places, the former prime minister called the extent of destruction “huge.”
He tweeted that “the scale of destruction is huge and we have discussed with the CM how to increase scale & timeliness of the help to affectedness incl preventive measures against spread of disease, especially in youngsters.”
The former PM continued, saying that the severity of the flooding he witnessed in Tank and DI Khan was indicative of the difficulties Pakistan is experiencing as a result of climate change.
Damage to Pakistan’s scope
According to climate change minister Sherry Rehman, torrential rains across the nation have caused flash floods in Pakistan since June, affecting over 33 million people to date.
The minister described the situation as “an enormous humanitarian calamity caused by climate change.”
The National Disaster Management Authority’s statistics can be used to gauge the magnitude of the damage.
937 people have died as a result of the recent flooding and rainfall across the nation, and 1,343 more have been injured.
On the previous day, there were 50 injuries and 34 additional fatalities in Punjab, Sindh, Balochistan, and KP.
With 85,897 of those deaths occurring in the past 24 hours, a total of 793,995 cattle and other animals have been slaughtered thus far.
In the past day, around 175,069 homes were damaged, bringing the total to 670,328.
