Summary The district administration has launched operation to rescue the victims from the affected area.
ISLAMABAD (Dunya News) – At least 20 people have been killed, including 11 Islamic missionaries from the Tablighi Jamaat and and two women, while several others went missing in flash flood caused by torrential rains in Neelum Valley.
State Disaster Management Authority (SDMA) stated that the flood has destroyed more than 100 houses, shops and mosques whereas the locals have been directed to move to safe places. Relief camps were also established which included provision of food, rations and medical care. , as reported by SDMA.
Meanwhile, district administration launched an operation to rescue the victims from the affected area. Search operation team consists of SDMA officials along with 50 Pak Army officials and two helicopters which has found 13 dead bodies while 41 people are still missing according to the locals and journalists.
The Speaker of Azad Jammu and Kashmir Legislative Assembly, Shah Ghulam Qadir left for the place of incident to supervise the relief work for the affectees. On the directives of Prime Minister AJK Raja Farooq Haider Khan, a relief camp has been established wherein food items, tents and blankets are being provided to the affectees.
SMDA officials expressed that search for missing person is underway as Army sub-division SCO has cancelled the Jeep Rally due to the tragedy.
Director General SCO Major General Ali Farhan directed instructors to restore the communication by repairing the destroyed fibers for which SCO officers are in Laswa with the team. Efforts are being made to repair the destroyed fiber in Muzaffarabad land sliding.
It has been reported that five students of Faislabad Madrassa are also missing named Haroon, Suleman, Affan, Imran Aziz and Umar Nasir. They are still missing and thought to be dead so far.
The communication system and internet services have also been suspended in the valley. Hot and humid weather is expected elsewhere in the country.
President, PM express deep grief and sorrow over loss of precious lives
President Dr Arif Alvi and Prime Minister Imran Khan have expressed deep grief and sorrow over the loss of precious lives in Neelum Valley due to heavy rains and flooding.
In their separate statements today, they expressed sympathy with displaced people of the valley and prayed for the early recovery of injured persons.
The Prime Minister directed the concerned departments to carry out relief activities in affected area.
According to Pakistan Meteorological Department (PMD), rain-thundershower (with isolated heavy falls) accompanied by gusty winds is expected at scattered places in Kashmir, Islamabad, Hazara, Rawalpindi, Gujranwala, Sargodha, Faisalabad, Lahore divisions, while at isolated places in Malakand, Peshawar, Kohat, Mardan, Bannu, Zhob, D.G.Khan and Sahiwal divisions.
Rainfall (mm) during Last 24 hrs
Kashmir: Muzaffarabad 40, Garidupatta 19, Kotli 11, Rawalakot 04, Punjab: Attock 27, Lahore (Ap 27, City 06), Layyah 11, Chakwal 10, Jhelum 09, Murree, Mangla 08, Islamabad (AP, Golra 06, ZP Trace), Joharabad 04, Kasur 03, M.B.Din 02, Gujrat 01, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa: Balakot 26, Cherat 22, Kakul 17, Pattan 16, Dir 03, Malamjabba 012, Balochistan: Zhob 09.
Yesterday’s Highest Maximum Temperatures
Nokkundi 47°C, Dadu ,Moenjodaro 45°C, Shaheed Benazirabad, Dalbandin and Sibbi 44°C.
