Avalanche sweeps through 3 villages in Neelum Valley, 14 dead bodies recovered
NDMA reported that the snowfall has claimed the lives of at least 100 people across Pakistan.
MUZAFFARABAD (Dunya News) – In another tragic event, an avalanche has swept through three more villages in the Neelum Valley of Azad Kashmir on Wednesday, while the rescue teams have recovered 14 dead bodies so far.
Sources privy to Dunya News informed that dozens of people are reportedly buried under the avalanche. Relief operations are also facing difficulties in the affected area owing to the lack of facilities. Dozens of houses had been wrecked and buried by the snow, with most of those killed and injured in their homes following the ravaging avalanches hit. The death toll may continue to rise, as there are fears that many people may still be trapped.
State Disaster Management Authority (SDMA) said that the weather conditions have increased the difficulties for residents in the region. Flight rescue operations in the upper regions have also been suspended due to inclement weather. Rescue teams have not yet reached the victims of Dhaki and Chaknath in the Grace Valley.
Meanwhile, Azad Jammu and Kashmir Prime Minister Raja Farooq Haider Khan has conducted an aerial review of the affected areas in the Neelum Valley. Federal Minister Ghulam Sarwar Khan in his statement on the snowstorm said that 67 people were killed in the Neelum Valley. The government is taking serious notice of the financial loss along with loss of lives. PDMA and NDMA are being more active.
Heavy snowfall wreaks heavoc across the country
National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) issued an official statement saying that a severe cold snap, snowfall and rain-related incidents have claimed the lives of at least 100 people across Pakistan in the last three days while several others were injured.
As heavy snowfall and rain continued to lash parts of the country, particularly northern areas, 62 people have been killed and scores of others were injured in land sliding and avalanche over fifteen villages in Azad Jammu and Kashmir.
According to the NDMA, rains in Balochistan have claimed 20 lives and 35 homes have damaged. 76 people have died in the disastrous event in AJK.
In Neelam valley, the death toll of people who died in an avalanche rose to 21 while several others are still missing. 42 injured people were shifted to nearby hospitals for medical attention. According to the available data, 45 houses are fully destroyed in AJK, and 213 houses across Pakistan.
Teams of the NDMA and other relevant departments have been carrying out relief operation in the affected areas. The affected families are being provided food, blankets, medicine.
Major thoroughfares in Balochistan, including Bolan Road, Khanozai Road and Quetta-Chaman Road have been closed for the time being, the statement said, adding that the most snowfall recorded in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province was at Lowari Approach Road at a whopping 23 inches.
Mainly cold and dry weather is expected in most parts of the country in the next 24 hours, with very cold in upper parts and north Balochistan, said the authority in its weekly outlook. Cloudy weather with light rain and snowfall over hills is expected in Gilgit Baltistan and Kashmir.
The officials advised people, particularly tourists, to avoid unnecessary travel in snowbound and landslide-prone areas during the prevailing weather conditions.
Met Office has issued a warning statement saying: “Risk of closure of inter cities connecting roads due to heavy snowfall and rains in the districts of Swat, Kohistan, Shangla, Buner, Mansehra, Abbottabad, Murree, Galyat, Neelum, Bagh, Haveli, Rawalakot, Astore, Hunza and Skardu on Monday(Night). Heavy rains may trigger landslides and Avalanches in Kashmir, Gilgit-Baltistan, Malakand and Hazara districts.”
Army Chief directs assistance for snow-hit victims
The Army Chief of Pakistan, Qamar Javed Bajwa, on Tuesday expressed grief over the loss of lives owing to the heavy snowfall which has ravaged the parts of Azad Kashmir and Balochistan.
Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) in a statement said that the Chief of Army Staff (COAS) has directed the Pakistan Army to assist civil administration in the affected areas.
Army helicopters participated in relief activies in Sharda, Surgan Det, Bakwal, Turbat, while Pak Army‘s Urban Search and Rescue teams are also busy in evacuating stranded population.
Army doctors and paramedics are also busy in treating the affectees. Tents, blankets, rations and medicines have also been distributed among the affected families.
PM Imran urges NDMA and others on emergency footing
Prime Minister Imran Khan on Tuesday directed to immediately provide all humanitarian assistance on emergency footing to the people affected by land sliding in Azad Jammu and Kashmir.
In his latest tweet, the prime minister asked National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA), the military and all federal ministers to take timely actions in this regard.
The severe snowfalls and landslides in AJK have caused misery & deaths. I have asked the NDMA, the military & all our federal ministers to immediately provide all humanitarian assistance on an emergency footing to the affected people in AJK.
— Imran Khan (@ImranKhanPTI) January 14, 2020
PM Imran Khan said the severe snowfalls and landslides in Azad Jammu and Kashmir have caused misery and deaths.
PM Imran visits Muzaffarabad to inquire about health
Prime Minister Imran Khan on Wednesday arrived in Azad Kashmir and inquired about the health of land sliding and snow-hit victims at Combined Military Hospital (CMH) in Muzaffarabad.
The premier along with Minister for Kashmir Affairs and Gilgit Baltistan Ali Amin Gandapur also reviewed the relief activities in the snow-hit areas.
