Field Marshal Asim Munir, Chief of Army Staff, has instructed the implementation of special measures to aid the rehabilitation of flood-affected communities in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, security sources told Geo News on Friday.
According to the sources, the army chief directed troops stationed in the province to provide comprehensive support for recovery and relief operations. In a show of solidarity, the Pakistan Army has contributed one day’s salary from all personnel to assist flood victims. Additionally, the army has allocated its one-day ration, totaling over 600 tonnes, for distribution to those impacted by the disaster. Extra military contingents are being deployed to reinforce relief efforts in the most severely affected areas.
Field Marshal Munir has also instructed the Corps of Engineers to expedite repairs of damaged bridges and to install temporary bridges wherever necessary to restore essential connectivity for affected communities.
The recent torrential rains in northwest Pakistan have claimed over 200 lives in the past 24 hours, with the bad weather also resulting in the crash of a rescue helicopter on Friday. Cloudbursts, flash floods, lightning strikes, and building collapses amid heavy rainfall have caused fatalities across the hills and mountainous regions of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. At least 206 deaths were recorded in the province, where one resident described the disaster as akin to “doomsday.”
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In response, the provincial government has declared Saturday a day of mourning, KP Chief Minister Gandapur announced. “The national flag will fly at half-mast across the province, and the martyrs will be laid to rest with full state honours,” the statement said.