DERA ISMAIL KHAN
The unprecedented flooding caused by abnormally heavy monsoon rains in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa’s major southern district of Dera Ismail Khan have left trail of destruction with infrastructure shattered, crops destroyed, villages submerged and several killed.
Flanked by Provincial Minister for Local Government and Rural Development Ali Amin, Commissioner Dera Ismail Khan Division Amir Afaq told media persons that the recent heavy rains wrecked havoc with lives and properties in Dera Ismail Khan Division, leaving 20 people killed and 85 injured.
“Preeminently estimates show that recent flooding in Dera Ismail Khan has caused damages worth Rs 10 billion and it has been shared with the provincial government too,” the commissioner said.
The mighty flood water also swept away several infrastructure at multiple places and affected about 3900 houses. He said the floodwaters also affected 236 villages of Dera Ismail Khan and 70 in Tank district.
He informed that 31 schools were also damaged by flood waters besides affecting infrastructure and inter-provincial highways. He said Pak Army, Police, FC, all relevant departments and public representatives extended their full cooperation to the administration for rescue and relief operations.
He said the next major step would be rehabilitation and this would also be performed successfully. The commissioner said the administration was in contact with National Highways Authority (NHA) for speedy repair of major highways, adding, the Chashma road had been opened.
He said food, tents, mats, non-food items were being fairly distributed. He said that district administration and the line departments would continue their efforts till rehabilitation of the last flood affected person.
He said that efforts were being made to bring life to normal and the PESCO was engaged to restore power supply to flood affected areas. Regarding provision of food facilities to the victims, the deputy commissioner said that on daily basis, food was sent to flood relief camps and to the field in the flood-affected areas.
The provincial minister said that the chief minister was also giving his helicopter and it will also be operational along with the helicopter of the Pakistan Army. Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Minister for Local Government and Rural Development Faisal Amin Gandapur Monday termed the construction of dams as indispensable for the country.
He was of the view that if Gomal Zam Dam had not been constructed, perhaps the Dera city would have been completely destroyed with the flood. He also appreciated the performance of the departments that were engaged in rescue and relief operations saying,
“I salute all the institutions and the people of Dera Ismail Khan who have extended hospitality to the flood victims and actively participated in their relief work.” He said the precautionary measures were taken after the prediction of flood but it turned into a disaster due to climate change and more rains occurred than the predicted.
He also advised people to not pay heed to any propaganda or false news. Faisal Amin said 61,000 acres of agricultural land has been affected. He said the rescue activities were underway, however, the difficult phase of rehabilitation has yet to come.
The Chashma Right Bank Canal(CRBC) would have to be completely restored so that the restoration of agriculture could be made possible. He said the Pak-Army and Police have extended a lot of cooperation in rescue and relief operations. The Pak-Army has provided a helicopter which proved very beneficial, he added.
The minister said that a lot of work had been done on drainage in the district due to which the drainage system has improved. The dewatering process was also underway in different areas.
“I appeal to the philanthropists to play their part for the flood victims generously as much as possible,” he said and added that he also contacted international welfare organizations for the purpose.
He said that volunteers also played an important role in rescuing the victims. Fair distribution of government aid to flood victims would be ensured in all cases.
Faisal Amin said that southern districts always remained neglected but Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Mahmood Khan gave priority to these areas. Deputy Commissioner Dera Ismail Khan Nasrullah Khan and Deputy Commissioner Tank Hameedullah Khattak were also present on this occasion.
