At least 43 dead, dozens missing as flood wreaks havoc in Chitral

CHITRAL - At least 43 people died while dozens went missing as floods wreaked havoc in Chitral, the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) said on Sunday.



According to officials, most of the casualties were reported from th Arsun village where the flood water swept away a mosque and the people inside along with it.

Chitral Deputy Commissioner Osama Warraich has said that a security check post was also affected by the floods, which were triggered by two-hour-long rains. He said as many as eight security personnel were also missing as a result of the floods.



Responding to the flood, the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) government has declared an emergency in the affected areas and launched a rescue operation. The provincial government has also approached the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) for the provision of helicopters for assistance in the relief operation.

Chief Minister Pervez Khattak has announced a compensation of Rs. 0.3 million for the families of the deceased persons, further assuring that every step will be taken to safeguard the lives of the citizens and their properties.



Chitral District Nazim, speaking to the media, said that the death toll was expected to rise because rescue authorities were facing problems due to blockade of routes leading to the flood-affected areas.

Chitral was hit by the deadly flood last year as well. Several people had died while land communication was disrupted.