PESHAWAR: The devastation caused by flash floods, cloudburst continue to rise as the search operation for missing underway in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) and northern Pakistan.
According to National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA), at least 344 people lost their lives in 48 hours as floods, landslides, and rain-related incidents.
On the other hand, in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa , 328 people lost their life and many others injured, while Gilgit Baltistan (GB) recorded 12 deaths and Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK) 11 fatalities.
Yesterday, a helicopter belonging to the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) government, which was earlier reported missing, was crashed near Chungi Banda, killing all three people on board.
Provincial authorities confirmed the crash on Friday, saying the MI-17 helicopter was on a relief mission to the flood hit Salarzai area of Bajaur when it lost contact. The aircraft was delivering aid as part of rescue operations when bad weather caused communication to break down in the airspace over Mohmand district.
Chief Secretary Shahab Ali Shah earlier the helicopter went missing while travelling to Bajaur, losing contact in the Mamond area.
KP Chief Minister Ali Amin Gandapur said all efforts were made to re-establish contact with the helicopter, and rescue teams were sent immediately to search the area. He confirmed that three people were martyred in the crash.
The provincial government’s second helicopter was already engaged in rescue work in Buner district at the time of the incident.
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