October 31, 2008	Friday	Ziqa'ad 1, 1429

QUETTA, Oct 30: Thousands of earthquake survivors braved sub-zero temperatures under open skies on Thursday night.

Provincial authorities sent tents, blankets and other relief goods to the areas devastated by Wednesday’s earthquake, but these could not reach a majority of the affected.

Balochistan Governor Nawab Zulfiqar Ali Magsi visited affected areas of Ziarat and expressed dissatisfaction over the relief work. He admitted that the provincial government lacked resources to help the victims.

The death toll in Ziarat rose to 230 on Thursday, but the home secretary said that so far 155 deaths had been confirmed.

Local people and some officials said that casualty figures could not be ascertained because many victims were buried by their families and relatives.

More destruction was also reported from Zindra area of Ziarat, where a number of houses collapsed after another strong earthquake measuring 6.2 on the Richter scale hit northern and central parts of the province on Wednesday evening. However, no casualty was reported as people had already moved to safe places because of fear of aftershocks.

“Dozens of houses were destroyed or badly damaged in the last evening tremors,” Zafar Panizai, a resident of Ziarat, told Dawn, adding that no house was safe for living.

Official sources also confirmed the destruction.

Provincial authorities, army, Frontier Corps and NGOs expedited the relief work and were providing tents, blankets, jackets and foodstuffs to victims. About 1,500 more tents were distributed. The FC set up 200 tents in Wam area, providing shelter to about 400 people.

However, a large number of survivors complained that they were still spending the freezing night in the open.

Ziarat District Nazim Dilawar Khan also expressed dissatisfaction over the pace of relief work. He claimed that 47,000 people had been rendered homeless in the district and they were waiting for government help.

“Wam is the worst affected village with 114 deaths,” he said, adding that people had no other option but to spend the chilly night in the open. He warned of more deaths if immediate shelter was not provided to the homeless.

FC and provincial authorities said the government was making all-out efforts to provide tents and food to the survivors. They said that more relief goods would reach Quetta on Friday from Islamabad and other parts of the country.

“People who have not been affected by the earthquake in Ziarat town and other areas are also demanding tents and blankets,” a senior official told Dawn.

Locals and relief workers belonging to different political parties have also joined in the relief work.

“We are working on self-help basis,” Abdul Rahim, a relief worker, said.

People blocked roads in Khanozai area of Pishin, another quake-hit district, in protest against the poor supply of relief goods. They said the relief operation in their areas had not yet started.

In Quetta too people spent the night in the open. People have erected tents in their courtyards and open places and almost all parks and grounds have been occupied by them.