Volunteers Killed in Gilgit Landslide
Tragedy struck in Gilgit as a massive landslide claimed the lives of seven local volunteers. These individuals were engaged in efforts to repair the flood-damaged Danyor Nullah, according to official reports on Monday.
The disaster also resulted in injuries to seven other people, stated Faizullah Faraq, the spokesperson for the GB administration. All those injured were promptly transported to nearby medical facilities, where immediate emergency protocols were initiated to handle the situation.
Reports indicate the volunteers were working on fixing a damaged water channel when an abrupt mudslide occurred, burying them beneath substantial quantities of soil and rocks.
Law enforcement authorities reported that, amidst the rescue operation, four individuals were recovered from under the rubble in critical condition.
Faraq confirmed that the search and rescue operation has been successfully concluded.
Recent monsoon weather patterns have inflicted considerable damage throughout Pakistan, marked by instances of urban inundation, rapid-onset floods, and landslides. These events have regrettably led to over 260 fatalities, with several individuals still unaccounted for and extensive harm to infrastructure.
Gilgit Baltistan, a region renowned for its numerous tourist attractions, also suffered due to flash floods and landslides. Chief Minister Haji Gulbar Khan stated last month that the intense monsoon rains had caused at least 10 deaths and injured four in the region.
The chief minister further detailed the devastation, noting the destruction of 300 homes and partial damage to an additional 200. Moreover, between 30% and 40% of water channels and 15 to 20 kilometers of roadways sustained damage.
Earlier this week, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif gave out compensation payments to families impacted by the recent floods in Gilgit Baltistan and mandated that damaged infrastructure be quickly restored under a Rs4 billion aid initiative.
During his visit to the affected area, the Prime Minister presented Rs1 million compensation checks to the families of those who died in the disaster. He offered prayers for the departed and wished for a swift recovery for the injured, emphasizing his presence as a gesture of support for the flood victims.
“Pakistan is among the nations most severely impacted by climate change,” PM Shehbaz remarked during the compensation distribution event.
He advocated for establishing an enhanced early warning system to lessen the risks of future disasters, asserting that such a system is essential.
He instructed the Minister for Communications to promptly address infrastructure restoration and assured that he would revisit the region before the month’s end.
The Prime Minister also announced the forthcoming completion of a 100-megawatt solar power project in the region this year.
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