MANSEHRA, Feb 24: Pakistan Red Crescent Society (PRCS), NWFP, distributed relief goods worth Rs307,350 among victims of rain and snowfall in the seven union councils of Balakot tehsil on Wednesday.

The goods included blankets, tents, shawls and foodstuff which were distributed in Gari Habibullah, Karnol, Talhatta, Shohal Mohizullah, Balakot, Garlat and Sat Banni. Speaking to newsmen, director of operations of the Red Crescent, Brig (retd.) Mohammad Ilyas, said he was visiting the affected areas to make an assessment of the damage caused by rains and snowfall.

He said that about 60 tons of relief goods worth Rs2.6 million had been distributed among the victims across the province. Brig Ilyas said that his top priority was to reach the calamity-hit areas for giving a quick response to the victims.

He said that he had been in Hazara region for the last three days for making an assessment of the losses. The director of operations said that the Red Crescent had also distributed relief goods in Galyat area of Abbottabad district, and a truckload of the same had been sent to Kohistan.

Balakot tehsil nazim Syed Junaid Ali Qasim said that rains and avalanches had wreaked havoc in Kaghan and Hungrai, but an exact assessment of the losses could not have been done due to blockade of roads.

He said their first priority was to clear the main Kaghan valley road and the link roads leading to the remote hilly areas of the valley. He said that most of the victims were in dire need of money to repair their houses.