Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, a day after being sworn in as the country’s 24th prime minister, on Tuesday announced the federal government’s relief package for those affected by torrential rains in Gwadar, Geo News reported.
Speaking to the media in the port city of Gwadar, which has been severely affected by heavy downpours in recent days, Shehbaz said the government would provide Rs 750,000 each to those whose houses were destroyed by the rain.
Meanwhile, those whose houses suffered partial damage will be given Rs 350,000 each.
The family members of those who died in the rain would get Rs 2 million, while the injured would get Rs 500,000 each.
“[The said] amount will be distributed over the [next] four days,” Shehbaz said, adding that the aid package also covers rain-affected areas apart from Balochistan.
Commenting on the financial loss suffered by the people, the Prime Minister said that the provincial government would reimburse the losses worth Rs 400 crore incurred due to the destruction of as many as 83 boats.
Regarding the loss of life due to the recent rains in various areas across the country, the Prime Minister said that as many as 44 people have died while 46 others are injured, including children and the elderly.
Elaborating on the government’s response to the disaster, the Prime Minister announced that seven thousand ration bags would be provided to the provincial government and properly distributed among the needy through a joint effort between the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) and the Balochistan Administration. .
“The rations will continue until all displaced people return to their homes,” he said.
Earlier, after arriving on his maiden visit to the province, PM Shehbaz was briefed by the NDMA about the rescue and relief efforts being carried out along with the damage sustained by Gwadar’s infrastructure.
The prime minister ordered authorities to use satellite imagery for early detection and warning of natural disasters and asked for a detailed assessment of damage to private property along with a comprehensive rehabilitation plan for those affected by the disaster.