Chief Secretary’s Visit to Chitral Unveils Urgent Funding for Flood-Affected Areas

Chitral: In response to the devastating floods in the Lower and Upper Chitral districts, Chief Secretary of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Nadim Islam Chaudhry, conducted a comprehensive tour of the affected regions to assess the situation. During his visit, he held briefings with officials from the concerned departments and engaged with local residents and affected individuals.

Accompanied by Secretary C&W, Amir Tiaz Shah, Chief Secretary Chaudhry visited Yarkhun Valley and Laspur, where he witnessed the damages caused by the overflowing rivers, including bridges and roads. He emphasized the need for immediate emergency measures to restore the Yarkhun road to facilitate relief efforts for those affected by the floods.

In a separate meeting in Boni, Upper Chitral, Deputy Commissioner Khalid Zaman updated Chief Secretary Chaudhry on the damages to infrastructure, including roads and bridges, caused by the torrential rains and flooding in the area. The DC highlighted the particularly severe disruption of traffic between Chitral city and Nardit due to the blockage of motor vehicles.

In response to the dire situation, Chief Secretary Nadim Islam Chaudhry announced the allocation of PKR 4 crore for urgent infrastructure rehabilitation in both districts. He directed deputy commissioners to work tirelessly to restore roads, bridges, and infrastructure to ensure prompt relief to the affected communities. The Chief Secretary also declared an emergency situation in the region to address the disaster’s immediate challenges.

Various officials, including former District Nazim Maghfirat Shah, Prince Siraaj-ul-Mulk, political leaders, and former MNAs, were present during the meeting with Chief Secretary Chaudhry. They also urged the establishment of an emergency relief fund to address the ongoing crisis efficiently.

Notably, the devastating floods have resulted in the closure of Malakand Road following the mountain blasting carried out by a road construction company. The flooding has significantly changed the course of the Chitral River, leading to waterlogging and submerging several areas along the riverbank.

In response to the situation, the Chief Secretary announced a detailed visit to Chitral in the coming days. The local community and responsible authorities await immediate relief measures and support as the region faces the challenges posed by the natural calamity.