PESHAWAR, Nov 13: About 18,000 people have received Rs1.32 billion compensation in the quake-affected areas of the NWFP, says an official handout issued here on Sunday.

According to the handout, 1,840 affected people in Abbott-abad district have received Rs80.26 million. In the worst-hit Mansehra district, the authorities have distributed Rs910 million among 12,830 survivors of the October 8 quake. In Battagram district, Rs220.5 million has been distributed among 2,313 people. In Shangla district, 1,639 people have received Rs72.2 million and in Kohistan district, Rs12.1 million has been distributed among 211 quake-hit people.

HELICOPTER STRANDED: The ISPR said here on Sunday that an MI-17 helicopter airlifting fuel had been stranded in Naran valley on Saturday.

The valley has received 1.5 feet snowfall after which people have started migrating from the high altitude areas. However, due to an acute shortage of diesel, hundreds of vehicles with migrating families on board have been stranded in the area.

The press release said that despite poor visibility, the helicopter flew into the mountainous area and supplied fuel.

It said that relief activities were underway in the affected areas and 30 trucks loaded with relief goods had been sent to Chattar Plain, Garhi Habibullah, Balakot, Shinkiari, Battagram and other areas from Mansehra town.