Rehabilitation work begins in flood-affected areas

The recent flood calamity has caused a major loss to the country’s infrastructure development. A large number of houses, roads, major highways, hotels, and several tourist sites were damaged, causing an economic loss of around $40 billion to the country. However, the incumbent government along with concerned authorities are working tirelessly to rehabilitate the damaged infrastructure and provide relief to the affected population. Also, many bilateral partners like Canada have provided aid of $5 million to Pakistan (Express, 2022). Similarly, international organisations like WB and U.N have also contributed their part in providing relief to the flood victims. Also, Pakistan has launched a joint flood Plan for 2022 in collaboration with United Nations.

Besides this, the government has begun rehabilitation work for the damaged areas. In this context, restoration work for several roads and bridges has been started. Recently, the authorities have ordered the restoration work on the infrastructure of Balakot’s flood-affected Manor Valley and Mahandri has begun. Also, the destroyed electricity system in Manor valley has been restored by supplying solar panels. In addition, the authorities have immediately installed zip lines in place of the destroyed temporary bridges on various rivers to restore the broken transportation and communication system in the valley. The initiative will help to restore the main highway to ensure a smooth flow of traffic during the recent rains and floods that hit the valley at the peak of the tourist season.

To continue relief and rehabilitation work in affected areas, the government has decided to provide soft loans, facilities of dastarkhwan and educational institutions for the affected ones. Moreover, maternity care container clinics in the affected areas and different commodities, medicines and tents will be provided jointly. Along all these efforts, the government has prepared a plan for the rehabilitation of the flood victims and the repair of damaged houses. It has been observed that the recent destruction in the region was triggered due to climate change, emphasising the need to devise an efficient national climate change plan in the country.