PESHAWAR: Around 70 stranded people were rescued from flood-hit Golain valley of Chitral district in a chopper.

Golain, a narrow valley nestled among mountains around 25 kilometers north of Chitral town, was hit by a glacial lake outburst flood on Sunday night.

The Glof washed away roads and bridges disconnecting the area’s link with other parts of the district.

The Provincial Disaster Management Authority said two helicopters were being used for relief and rescue operations in the valley.

It said 22 patients were shifted to Chitral town in helicopter on Tuesday, while a ton of relief items were distributed to residents through the district administration.

In a statement issued here, the PDMA director general said more quantities of medicine, edibles and other necessary items had been dispatched to the flood-hit Chitral area.

He said a track had been established for the residents, while the roads’ rehabilitation was under way.

The PDMA has written to the communication and works department for supplying steel bridges to cope with Golain situation and such events in future.

It also called for an immediate survey to assess the need for such bridges.

A spokesman for Rescue 1122 said the rescuers managed to reach the flood-hit area after a hectic journey of seven hours.

He said the rescuers managed to cross the river using stairs as at least five bridges leading to the valley had been washed away by floods.

The spokesman said the rescuers also helped evacuate stranded people from the valley.

Published in Dawn, July 10th, 2019