NDMA chairman briefs media about earthquake damage, rescue efforts – Pakistan

The president of the National Disaster Management Authority, Lieutenant General Mohammad Afzal, held a press conference on Tuesday night to inform the media about the damage suffered and the ongoing rescue operations following an earthquake of magnitude 5.8 that hit the northern parts of the country.

"At this time, I can confirm the death of 10 people. Some reports have placed the figure at 17 and others at 15, but I can only confirm 10," Lieutenant General Afzal said.

"Approximately 100 are injured. Some reports say 300 are injured. Some of the injured suffered only minor injuries, so if I had to count those with serious injuries, the figure is around 100," he added.

"In Mirpur, in addition to the city, a small Qasba Jatla and two small villages Manda and Afzalpur were the most affected areas," he said, adding: "Even in these areas, the greatest damage was to the infrastructure there."

In addition to this, some remote villages in Bhimber have reported injuries to people, as well as minor structural damage.

Speaking of infrastructure damage, Lieutenant General Afzal said that the main road from Mangla to Jatla, which borders a river, has suffered significant damage.

He said three main bridges had also been damaged, along with people's residences.

"In Mirpur, in addition to the city, a small Qasba Jatla and two small villages Manda and Afzalpur were the most affected areas," he said, adding: "Even in these areas, the greatest damage was to the infrastructure there."

He said that in addition to this, some remote villages in Bhimber have reported injuries to people, as well as minor structural damage.

"There will be an adequate damage assessment in the next 2-4 days," he added.

He confirmed that the Mangla dam was not negatively affected by the earthquake.

He said the turbine operations were closed and are currently still suspended because a lot of silt had accumulated in the water. The dam is being drained to rinse the silt after which normal operations will resume.

"Water is released in a highly regulated way because if more than 50,000 cusecs are released in Jhelum and PD Khan, floods can occur. Therefore, a volume of less than 50,000 cusecs is released," he told the media.

Rescue efforts

According to Lieutenant General Afzal, NDMA officers and Pakistan's armed forces, including ground troops that have bodies of engineers and their equipment, have been sent to the affected areas and have arrived or are about to arrive.

"At this time, the district administration teams, the State Disaster Management Authority (SDMA) teams and our teams are already present in the areas affected by the disaster," he said.

"I will go to those areas myself tomorrow and make a detailed tour of the area and then I will inform you more."

He said NDMA vehicles are being loaded with 200 tents, 800 blankets, 200 kitchen sets and 100 medical kits that will arrive there tonight.

"I was a little worried about the anticipated rains in the north of the country for the next two days. My main concern was that if rains occurred, nobody should be homeless."

"For that, we will make sure that these tents and blankets not only arrive tonight, but are distributed more tomorrow so that, in case of rain, no one is left without shelter."

He said PDMA Punjab had also contributed to relief efforts by voluntarily offering 20 ambulances, medical equipment and six rescue vehicles along with a team of 100 rescue officers.

"The search and rescue team of the Pakistan army is already underway. The cantonment forces of Jhelum and Mangla have begun to arrive," he added.

Lieutenant General Afzal said that Islamabad rescue and search teams are making preparations and will be sent tonight. He also said that PDMA Punjab sent a rescue and search team from Lahore and will arrive tonight.

"In the first two days, our efforts will be aimed at carrying out rescue operations," he said.

The NDMA president said that in the next few days after that, in addition to the relief efforts, a plan for the rehabilitation, recovery and restoration of normality in the affected areas will be established.