Pakistan Army expedites relief efforts for floods affected people
ISLAMABAD, August 27 (SABAH) : The Pakistan Army accelerated its relief efforts for flood victims during the past 24 hours, the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) said on Saturday.
Commander Peshawar Corps Lieutenant General Hassan Azhar Hayat visited the flood-affected areas in Nowshera and directed to undertake all measures of rescue, relief and rehabilitation efforts on an emergency basis in coordination with the civil administration.
He also directed that all resources be utilised to help the affected population and restore critical communication infrastructure.
According to the ISPR, a total of 5,487 ration packs and over 1,200 tents have been distributed among families affected by the flooding. 117 relief camps have been established nationwide, a press release issued by ISPR said.
In order to help the flood victims, 7,522 Pakistan Army troops have been deployed along with 50 boats, whereas 25 field medical camps have also been established. As many as 25,000 patients have been treated so far.
Furthermore, the Army Flood Relief Coordination Centre has been established under the Army Air Defence Command with a mandate to coordinate rescue and relief efforts in synchronization with stakeholders at the army level.
It further said that country-wide collection points were being established to synergize the efforts with respect to the collection and distribution of relief items.
The ISPR further stated that moderate to heavy rains were recorded across the country with Malam Jabba receiving a maximum of 58mm rainfall.
Currently, River Jhelum, Ravi, Chenab and Sutlej were flowing normally while Indus River was at a risk of very high-flood level at Attock.
Moreover, high flood levels were reported at Taunsa and Sukkur, whereas medium flood levels were reported at Chashma, Guddu and Kotri. Tarbela, Kalabagh and Kabul River were at a high-flood level at Nowshera, along with Warsak and River Swat at Munda. Meanwhile, Amandara was at medium level.
The affected areas in South Punjab were identified as Dera Ghazi Khan and Rajanpur, while in Balochistan, Khuzdar, Sibi, Naseerabad, Jafferabad, Jhalmagsi, Lasbela, Sohbatpur and Musakhel were badly affected by the rains.
In Sindh, Tando Allahyar, Khairpur, Badin, Dadu, Sukkur, Kamber Shahad Kot, Ghotki and Larkana were affected by the flood. In KP, DI Khan, Tank, Swat, Nowshera and Charsadda were severely hit by the rains; in Gilgit-Baltistan, the affected areas were Gilgit, Hunza and Ghizer.
Pakistan Army has also established a flood relief donation account after government authorisation to help assist the flood victims.
Title of account of army relief for flood affectees is Askari Bank GHQ Branch account # – 00280100620583.