PESHAWAR, Nov 11: Army engineers have completed construction of 44 shelters made of corrugated galvanized iron (CGI) sheets in quake-hit areas to provide proper cover to survivors from rain, snowfall and cold weather.

According to an ISPR press release issued here on Friday, work on 36 more shelters was nearing completion. The engineers were also engaging locals and providing them knowhow about building shelters made of CGI sheets to speed up the exercise before the weather turns colder.

The areas where army engineers have constructed shelters for quake survivors include Maira, Shanglai and Banna hill in Battagram, Shachan Kalan and Munda Guchha in Shinkiari and Shawal Najaf, Hungrai Sarash, Jabri and Lari in Balakot.

The Engineers Directorate in GHQ was working out shelters design keeping into account the recommendations of survey group about seismic study, earth texture and strain accumulation reports in the affected areas.

Due to harsh weather the number of displaced persons in tent villages at Garhi Habibullah, Balakot, Battagram, Battal, Mansehra, Jabba and Shinkiari was continuously increasing and now it has crossed 21,000. More than 4,000 tents have been pitched in 28 tent villages to accommodate the survivors.

Meanwhile, army engineers have constructed 70 meters ramp for Baily Bridge at Hassa area of Balakot whereas work on restoration of water supply schemes in Mochi Pura area was also in progress with full swing.

Bad weather hampered air operation and only 31 sorties were flown from PAF Base Chaklala and Mansehra to various locations of affected areas and dropped 41.533 tons of relief goods.

Eleven trucks loaded with tents blankets, quilts, tarpaulins and ration were distributed at Garhi Habibullah, Balakot, Shinkiari and Batgram areas.

As many as 25 more trucks carrying relief goods were dispatched from PAF Base Chaklala and Havelian railway station to the affected areas of the province.—APP