Hope to find Kohistan landslide victims alive fades, funeral prayers offered

MANSEHRA: Rescuers on Friday abandoned their search and offered the funeral prayers of the 23 people who were buried under a landslide in the Thor Nullah village in Kohistan district.

The funeral prayers of 23 people, including 13 women and five children, were attended by local people and family members. The decision was taken after five days of the tragedy, which claimed 25 lives. The bodies of only two persons could be retrieved earlier this week. The rescuers also saved four people.

Torrential rains have wreaked havoc pushing the death toll in Khyber Pakhtunkwa to 64.

According to the Provincial Disaster Management Cell 233 houses have been completely destroyed by the rains while 677 houses have been partially destroyed.

Pakistan Army’s relief efforts for the people affected by recent rains are underway in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Gilgit-Baltistan, an Inter Services Public Relations (ISPR) statement said on Tuesday.

 “Overall 160 kilometers of road in various parts of Gilgit Baltistan have been cleared so far. Moreover, 250 troops along with 22 engineering plants are employed for restoration of communication infrastructure in Swat, Malakand and Chitral,” the statement further said.

The Khyber Pakhtunkhwa government has announced a compensation package for the people affected by recent rains.

Three hundred thousand rupees will be given to the heirs of each deceased, Radio Pakistan reported.

Every critically injured person will receive Rs100,000 while those having minor wounds will get Rs 50,000.

The owners of the destroyed houses will receive Rs100,000 and those whose houses have been partially damaged will get Rs 50,000.