July 28, 2006	Friday	Rajab 1, 1427

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PESHAWAR, July 27: Three people were killed by flash-flood and four others went missing near Garhi Habibullah in the Mansehra district on Thursday, say officials.

Gul Dehri nullah near Garhi Habibullah was flooded following a spell of heavy rain, blocking flow of the Kunhar river. The river water was diverted, causing devastation along its course and inundating the road between Garhi Habibullah and Muzaffarabad.

Mansehra District Coordination Officer Shakeel Qader Khan said one woman and two children had been killed and four others had gone missing. About 125 families – nearly 600 people – were displaced and moved to a relief camp set up for those affected by the last year’s earthquake.

Officials said that upper parts of Garhi Habibullah had received heavy rainfall, causing flashflood in the nullah. According to the hydrology department, the water flow in the nullah was recorded at 11,732 cusecs.

District authorities were using four bulldozers and other machinery to remove earth to clear way for the river water.

Met officials said many parts of the Peshawar valley and Hazara and Malakand regions had received torrential rains. Swat received 21mm rain, Balakot 16mm, Peshawar 5.4mm, Cherat 8mm, Dir 5mm and Malam Jaba 4mm.

Besides, Kal Pani nullah in the Mardan district was also reportedly flowing in flood, submerging many houses and agriculture land.

Inter-Service Public Relations said troops had been sent to the affected area of Charsadda district and relief activities had been initiated in Umerzai and Turangzai villages.

The troops would also conduct rescue and relief operation in Garhi Habibullah, said a press release.

According to our Charsadda correspondent, flood and rain affected people had been waiting for relief goods and medical aid.

Heavy rain lashed many villages in the district on Wednesday and damaged houses and crops and killed hundreds of cattle.

The worst affected villages are Sarwarabad, Mahmoodabad, Ada Koroona, Bajorh Koroona, Hafizabad, Hajiabad, Maira Umerzai, Odhigram, Banda and Turangzai.

Workers of the Awami National Party, Pakistan People’s Party and Al Khidmat Foundation were providing relief to rain victims.

The provincial government and the district administration, however, have yet to initiate relief activities, though the former had announced a Rs2 million assistance programme and provision of 1,500 tents to the displaced families.