PESHAWAR/CHITRAL: An avalanche fell on Shershal village in Chitral, killing 14 people and trapping several others at midnight between Saturday and Sunday.
The people said the avalanche hit at least 20 houses, completely destroying five of them. They also said nine bodies have been recovered from the debris while search for others is underway.
Among those killed were six children, six women and two men, an official said.
The people are evacuating the victims as no outside help could reach the area due to inclement weather and heavy snow on the roads, said locals.
As many as 11 people have been rescued from the avalanche-hit village but the injured have not been treated as there is no dispensary here and Chitral is far away, they added.
Union Council Nazim Muhammad Yaqoob said the avalanche hit the area late in the night. He said people were present in five of the affected houses, while residents of other houses had vacated the area. He said about 50 to 60 people were present in the affected houses at the time of the incident. He feared that the death toll might increase.
Chitral District Nazim Maghfirat Shah demanded that the government immediately send C-130 aircraft and helicopters to evacuate the people from the stranded areas.
He said that due to the landslides and road blockages, they are facing difficulties to shift the injured persons to other hospitals of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.
Deputy Commissioner Shahab Yousafzai said bodies of five women and four children have been recovered so far, while two injured woman and two men have been recovered.
The people said they are carrying out rescue activities on a self-help basis. On the other hand, the Provincial Disaster Management Authority (PDMA) said they are facing difficulties in the rescue operations as most roads are closed due to heavy snowfall. However, it said teams have been sent to the affected area.
The Met Department said four feet of snowfall has been recorded in different areas of Chitral during the last two days. Flight operation at Chitral Airport has also been suspended due to heavy snowfall.
There is a severe shortage of food and medicine as most parts of the Dir-Chitral Road have been disconnected due to the landslides and heavy snow fall.
PDMA spokesman Taimur Ali said NDMA has agreed to provide a Helicopter for rescue and relief operation and 100 blankets, 50 quilts, 2 cartons of winter shawls, 50 coal stoves, 30 packets of flour (20kg each) and plastic mats are being transported to the affected area. In addition, four stretchers and medicine are also being dispatched.
Earlier a specialised search and rescue team consisting of Pakistan Army, Chitral Scouts, police and local administration was deputed to carry out joint search and rescue.
The PDMA is in close contact with the Chitral DC and other DCs. The spokesman added that their control room is operational 24/7 and is in contact with all districts. People from each affected district can contact PDMA control room on 1700 or 091-922-3662 for any guidance.
Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Pervez Khattak has expressed his grief over the loss of lives and property and directed the PDMA and all district administrations to immediately provide relief goods and compensation to the affected families.
Meanwhile, Chief of Army Staff General Qamar Bajwa has directed maximum assistance to NDMA, PDMA and local administrations for timely and effective rescue and relief efforts in snow hit areas.
According to Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR), in village Shershal, Garam Chashma, Chitral FC troops are assisting civil administration and NDMA for rescue of the affected people.
