Flood plays havoc in Charsadda, Nowshera in NW Pakistan
By Shoaib Jabbar - Pakistan Times Staff Correspondent

CHARSADDA: High flood in the Kabul and Swat rivers have washed away dozens of houses, damaged standing crops and killed cattle in several riverside villages of Charsadda and Nowshera districts besides forcing the closure of main Peshawar-Charsadda road for all kind of traffic.

Initial reports say, the worst floods in the Kabul and Swat rivers have played havoc in Karhma, Biar Garhi, Katozai, Nehqai, Kharkai, Dildar Garhi, Sarsang, Mian Walai, Jargha, Sardaryab, Agra and Mulazai of Charsadda district, and Nowshera Kalan, Kheshgi Payan, Kheshgi Bala, Pashtun Garhi and other villages located on river bank in Nowshera district.

The water level is increasing with alarming ratio and the people had abandoned their houses located near the river. The torrential rains and heavy snow in Swat and other mountainous areas have caused flood in the Swat and Kabul rivers for the last two days.

On the directives of DCO Charsadda, relief goods including tents and food items have been supplied to Biar Garhi, Sarmung, Karhma and Sewlai villages in Tangi tehsil where hundreds of houses and standing crops were inundated while dozens of cattle were swept away by the flood waters.

Rescue Ops

The people including women and children of these areas were rescued and shifted to safe areas in boats, however, the rains had been affecting the rescue and relief operation.

On the other hand residents of Charsadda district were facing great difficulties due to the blockade of Peshawar-Charsadda road for the last two days and they have been paying high fares to reach Peshawar via Nowshera and Mardan. The people of Charsadda and Nowshera have demanded of the provincial government to declare these areas as calamity-hit and announce relief package to the affected people.

Meanwhile, eight persons were injured in the rain-related incidents at Turangzai village on Saturday night. In the first incident, Musafir Khan, his wife and five children were seriously injured when roof of their house caved in. In another incident, a young man Ijaz was seriously injured as result of lightning at Khalisa, Turangzai.

Balochistan declared calamity-hit area

And a report from Quetta says that the government of Balochistan has declared the whole of the province a calamitous area due to the immense damages caused by rains, snowfalls and floods.

An official communique, issued by government of Balochistan said that all the areas falling within the parameter of the province have been declared calamity-hit in view of the widespread devastations triggered by heavy downpours, snowfalls and floods.

Following this declaration with immediate effect, land tax on agricultural lands and agricultural incomes for the year 2005-2006 has been deferred until June 30, 2006 throughout the province, said the press release.●