PESHAWAR/LAKKI MARWAT: Chief Minister Mahmood Khan has directed the authorities concerned to collect data about the losses caused by heavy rain and submit a report to him in this regard.

Talking to a six-member delegation of parliamentarians from Hazara division here on Tuesday, he said that the affected people would be facilitated and compensated to the maximum possible level and would not be left alone. He also announced reconstruction of the damaged Chamba Maira Bridge on emergency basis.

The delegation, led by Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Assembly Speaker Mushtaq Ghani, apprised him of the losses and damage caused by flash floods triggered by heavy rainfall in Abbottabad and its adjoining areas.

The delegation discussed with the chief minister matters related to the rehabilitation of infrastructure damaged by floods and compensation to the affected people.

Matters related to removal of encroachments in Abbottabad city also came under discussion during the meeting. The delegation included provincial cabinet members Akbar Ayub Khan and Qalandar Khan Lodhi and MNA Ali Khan Jadoon, MPA Nazir Abbasi and former provincial minister Yousaf Ayub.

The chief minister directed relief and rehabilitation department, Hazara commissioner and other relevant officials to collect data about the losses caused by heavy rain and submit a report in that regard.

He said that the affected people would be facilitated and compensated to the maximum possible level. He announced reconstruction of the damaged Chamba Maira Bridge on emergency basis.

He also directed the authorities concerned to take immediate steps for rehabilitation of all access roads in the area in the shortest possible time.

The chief minister said that the government would go all out to mitigate the sufferings of people and provide maximum relief to them. He said that like other parts of the province, anti-encroachments drive would be carried out without any discrimination in Abbottabad city.

He expressed grief and sorrow over the losses of human lives due to heavy rain and flood in various parts of the province. He expressed sympathies with the bereaved families and prayed for the eternal peace of departed souls.

Meanwhile, Lakki Marwat deputy commissioner Iqbal Hussain on Tuesday asked the district disaster management officer to prepare a report of rain-related losses in the district so that the affected people could be compensated on priority.

The directives were issued in the wake of Monday’s torrential rains and strong winds in parts of the district. Besides causing losses to the residents the downpour flooded rainwater courses, disconnecting villages and hamlets from Lakki city and damaging roads in rural areas and streets in urban localities.

Mr Hussain asked the relevant officials to prepare report of the losses so that compensation cheques could be given to the affected people.

He also directed the Lakki, Naurang and Ghaznikhel tehsil municipal officers to engage their staffers to open clogged sewerage lines in their respective areas.

He also asked the municipal authorities to remove standing rainwater from bazaars and bus terminals.

Published in Dawn, July 14th, 2021