Compensation for flood victims doubled, losses will be fully covered: CM Gandapur

PESHAWAR (Dunya News) – Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Ali Amin Gandapur on Thursday said that compensation for flood victims has been doubled and that 100 percent of the losses will be covered.

In a video message, the CM stated that the cloudbursts and flash floods which began on August 15 had severely affected several districts, including Buner, Swat, Shangla, Bajaur, Mansehra, and Swabi. He reported that as a result of these rains and related incidents, a total of 406 people lost their lives and 245 were injured, while 664 houses were completely destroyed and 2,431 houses were partially damaged. In addition, 511 roads, 77 bridges, and 2,123 shops were also affected.

The CM said that the provincial government had immediately mobilized all departments, district administrations, and rescue agencies. During the rescue operations, 5,566 people were saved, 430 bodies were recovered, and 2,061 personnel along with 176 vehicles and boats were deployed. So far, 136 connecting roads and 65 bridges have been restored.

He added that after the rescue operations, relief activities were launched under which cooked meals were provided to 119,000 people, 125 trucks of aid supplies were dispatched, and 70 medical camps were established. The provincial government also significantly increased compensation amounts. He explained that compensation for deaths has been raised from Rs. 1 million to Rs. 2 million per person, while compensation for injuries has been increased from Rs. 250,000 to Rs. 500,000. Completely destroyed houses will receive Rs. 1 million, and partially damaged houses will receive Rs. 300,000. For the first time, owners of destroyed shops will receive Rs. 500,000, and partially affected shops will be given Rs. 100,000 for cleaning and restoration. Losses to crops, orchards, and livestock will also be compensated.

The CM further informed that so far, families of 350 deceased persons have been paid Rs. 654 million, while for orphaned children, accounts are being opened in deputy commissioners’ offices so that their share can also be transferred. In addition, Rs. 19.5 million has been given to 18 injured persons, Rs. 66.5 million to 4,432 people under food stamps, Rs. 79 million for houses, and Rs. 28 million for shops. A further Rs. 1 billion for shops and Rs. 1.3 billion for houses will be released soon.

He said that in order to ensure transparency in payments, a digital payment system has been introduced and a deadline of Sunday has been set to complete all disbursements. Senior officers have been appointed to supervise rehabilitation efforts in the affected districts, while additional medical staff, mobile medical units, and medicines have also been provided.

Gandapur announced that cabinet members, assembly members, and government employees will donate their salaries for flood victims, and a special account has been opened in PDMA for this purpose. So far, the provincial government has released Rs. 6.5 billion for relief and rehabilitation, while an additional Rs. 5 billion will be released.

The Chief Minister said that he and the Chief Secretary are personally monitoring relief activities in the affected districts. He assured that the government will not rest until flood victims are fully rehabilitated, those whose homes were destroyed will be provided with new houses, and losses will be compensated in full.

He further said that, in order to prevent such disasters in the future, some populations will be relocated to safer areas. The provincial government will take full responsibility for the care of children whose parents died in the calamity. He also affirmed that the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa government stands in complete solidarity with the flood victims in Punjab and will extend every possible support.