GILGIT: As many as 17 families displaced by floods in Buber village of Ghizer were handed over Rs1 million cheque each on Saturday.

At least four people, including three children, died after floods hit the village on August 26.

Adviser to the prime minister on Kashmir affairs and Gilgit-Baltistan Qamar Zaman Kaira, opposition leader in GB Assembly Amjad Hussain Advocate, PML-N GB president and former chief minister Hafeezur Rehman were present on the ocassion.

Mr Kaira distributed the cheques among the families. The compensation was announced by Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif during his visit to the village on Friday.

Speaking on the occasion, Mr Kaira lauded the efforts of the GB administration for relief and rehabilitation of the flood-hit areas.

He said compensation was paid to the families within 24 hours after the announcement by the prime minister. The flood-hit village will be restored within a month as per directives by the prime minister, said officials.

The village was devastated by the recent flash floods where houses were buried under boulders and debris.According to a statement issued on Saturday, engineers, architects and planners have been sent to the village to undertake the rehabilitation work.

Chief Secretary Mohyuddin Ahmed Wani visited the village with secretary finance and secretary works and met the local community.

They also visited Buber Das, an alternative place for the construction of houses for the displaced people.It was suggested that 62 prefabricated houses blended with local culture will be constructed besides water supply with a lift irrigation scheme for the village.

Moreover, a five km access road will be constructed to the village besides setting up of a community centre for women. Teams from NHA have started construction of damaged bridges in Ghizer.

The damaged powerhouse of the village will be rehabilitated on an emergency basis. A medical officer will be posted to the dispensary of the village within 24 hours.

The chief secretary also visited the girls school which lost its three students in the floods.

“I met the class fellows of the deceased students and assured them that their school will be best equipped as per their desire,” he added.

Published in Dawn, September 4th, 2022