PESHAWAR: Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Ali Amin Gandapur on Saturday ordered the provincial departments to coordinate with the relevant federal agencies for the early rehabilitation of the flood-hit people in the province.

Mr Gandapur, while chairing an emergency meeting to review the damage caused by cloudbursts, heavy rains, and flash floods across the province, said that the provincial government stood firmly with the people of the flood-hit areas in this difficult time and would use all available resources for their rehabilitation.

Mr Gandapur also ordered that the road connectivity, disrupted in Buner, Swat, Bajaur and other areas due to flash floods, be restored as quickly as possible and helicopters used to deliver aid to inaccessible areas, according to an official statement issued from the chief minister’s secretariat.

The chief minister expressed solidarity with the bereaved families and lauded the provincial and district administrations for their swift response. He said that the administrations’ performance in the crisis had been commendable, and at the same time, urged them to continue the same commitment in the relief and rehabilitation phase.

Gandapur stresses KP-Centre coordination for rehabilitation of affected people

The meeting, which was also attended by the chief secretary, divisional commissioners, deputy commissioners, senior officials, and representatives of the Provincial Disaster Management Authority, was informed that the provincial government had released Rs1.5 billion to PDMA for rescue, relief, and compensation, and another Rs1.5 billion to the communication and works department for repair of roads and infrastructure.

In addition, Rs500 million has been allocated to deputy commissioners for compensating the families of those who lost their lives, the statement said, adding that a flood and health emergency had been declared in the affected areas.

Mr Gandapur directed that the compensation payments should be completed within two days, additional medical staff be deployed from neighbouring districts, and food supplies be ensured so that no affected family faces shortages.

The participants offered prayers for the officials who lost their lives when a government helicopter crashed in Mohmand while on way to Bajaur to carry out relief duties.

The meeting was informed that 63 houses were partially damaged, while survey of losses to roads and other infrastructure was still underway. Work was being carried out to restore road links to cut-off areas, and medical teams, food, medicines, and essential supplies were being sent to the affected districts.

Officials said that rescue operations had largely been completed, and the focus was now shifted to relief and rehabilitation. While the federal government and the Pakistan Army were extending assistance, the provincial civil administration was leading the response.

On Friday, KP witnessed devastating scenes as flash floods caused by heavy rainfall and cloudbursts in multiple districts claimed over 300 lives. Also, five crew members of a KP government helicopter lost their lives when the chopper, which was on a relief and rescue mission, crashed in Mohmand district.

Although the flash floods were reported from several areas, Buner was the worst-hit. Officials said that 204 people were killed and 120 were injured, while many were still missing.

In order to evacuate the stranded people and help rescue operation, Rescue 1122 called staffers from several districts, including the provincial capital.

Meanwhile, funeral prayers of the five helicopter crew members were offered at the civil secretariat.

The funeral was attended by senior government officials and military leadership, besides KP cabinet members and relatives of the martyred crew members.

Published in Dawn, August 17th, 2025