UPPER DIR: Serious food shortage was reported in Biyar area of Upper Dir district on Friday, the day after flashfloods killed nine people and destroyed dozens of shops and houses.

Local people appealed to the government and charity organisations to provide them with food and shelter.

The destruction of shops and damage of Kohistan Road in Patrak by flashfloods caused shortage of food items in Biyar area.

Local resident Muhibullah said floods swept away all shops in Biyar Bazaar spoiling food items.

“The bazaar is in ruins with all food and non-food items destroyed,” he said.

He demanded that the government and charity organisations step in and provide the flood survivors with food and shelter.

The people said they faced difficulties in rescue work due to the damage caused to a portion of the main Kohistan Road.

They said the damaged road had suspended traffic and forced the people to walk up to 15 kilometers on foot from Patrak to Byar.

However, the communication and works department under the supervision of sub-engineer Mukhtar Hussain cleared the remains of the landslide at around 25 places from the road.

“We’ve cleared the road by using an excavator, which was rented,” said the sub-engineer.

Also in the day, the Provincial Disaster Management Authority and the district government sent food and non-food items to the area.

Deputy commissioner Dr Imran Hamid Sheikh said the PDMA had sent in tents for the affected families, while food items were provided to the families by the district administration.

“The Upper Dir district administration has provided food packages to 11 affected families for one month, whereas the PDMA has sent tents and food items for them,” he said.

Meanwhile, joint funeral prayers for those who lost life in the calamity were offered in Byar.

Scores of people attended the event.

Local MPA Mohammad Ali, who was also in attendance, told reporters that he had come from Peshawar to attend funeral prayers and examine the scale of the disaster.

He said he would meet the chief minister to demand compensation for the affected families and rehabilitation of their livelihood.

“The affected families will be properly compensated,” he said.

The MPA also promised the early start of work on the bridge over Siyason Khwar.

He said the project would cost Rs60 million and that the money had already been approved in the annual development programme.

Meanwhile, the Jamiat Ulema-i-Islam-Fazl has raised money in Dir town for the calamity-hit families.

“We’ve collected Rs70,000, which will be distributed to the families in distress,” said JUI-F district general secretary Naik Bahador.

Published in Dawn, June 27th, 2015

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