- Army Chief expresses grief over loss of lives
ISLAMABAD, January 14: The death toll from snow-related deaths climbed to 92 on Tuesday as severe weather continued across the country bringing life to a standstill.
According to a statement by the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) at least 55 people have been killed in Azad Kashmir due to weather related deaths.
Furthermore, the NDMA said 19 people have died in an avalanche while 10 others were still missing.
Four injured have been recovered from the rubble, an NDMA spokesperson said.
“49 bodies were removed from collapsed buildings in Muzaffarabad,” Ahmad Raza Qadri, the Khyber Pakhtunkhawa chief of provincial disaster management said.
“Rescue operation is under way with the help of Pakistan Army,” Qadri said, adding that due to the severe weather conditions the rescue operations were hampered.
He added the injured were shifted in Pakistan Army helicopters to nearby hospitals.
According to the ISPR, the army chief expressed grief over the loss of lives due to intense snowfall in Azad Jammu and Kashmir and Balochistan. He also offered condolence to the bereaved families.
The army chief gave directions for continued assistance to the civil administration for rescue and relief operations.
“Army helicopters are undertaking operations in snow hit areas of Sharda, Sargan, Bakwal and Taobat,” said the ISPR, adding that Pakistan Army Urban Search & Rescue teams are evacuating stranded population. Agencies
