Daily Times

ISLAMABAD: National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) has urged Pakistan Air Force (PAF to carry out aerial photography/survey to evaluate damages to theinfrastructure and slope stability of mountains in Gilgit-Baltistan and Khyber Pakthunkhwa.

SUPARCO has been asked to provide satellite imageries to analyse the extent of damages, if any, in GB and KP.

The request had been made in an emergency meeting held at NDMA to scientifically and technically examine the escalated seismic activity of Hindu Kush Range.

Seismologists from Pakistan Meteorological Department Earthquake Studies Department of Quaid-e-Azam University, Islamabad, Geologist from Geological Survey of Pakistan Experts and Engineers from NDMA and SUPARCO attended the meeting, which was chaired by Chairman NDMA Major General Asghar Nawaz.

A detailed analysis of recent seismic activity was reviewed. All participants unanimously agreed to the assessment as presented by Pakistan Meteorological Department.

The Chairman NDMA directed all participants to undertake detailed study and analysis of the Hindu Kush Seismicity to ascertain any impending seismic threat.

After April-10 earthquake, the NDMA had issued immediate alerts to all Provincial Disaster Management Authorities (PDMAs) to caution exercise in view of expected aftershocks.

DMAs of provinces, AJK, GB and FATA had been asked to carry out damage assessment. Instructions were also issued to NHA, WAPDA, PTA and all other relevant departments were also asked to assess damages.

National Emergency Operation Centre of NDMA is already activated to monitor the situation round-the-clock.

NDMA help line numbers 111-157-157 and 9205037 had been activated to record the updates. Till date 6 deaths (KP 5 and GB 1) and 7 injured have been reported, whereas 22 houses were damaged in KP and two in FATA.

The NDMA had asked contact on following numbers in any emergency: PDMA Punjab:042-99203162-64, PDMA Sindh:021-99251458, PDMA Bachistan:081- 2881168,PDMA KPK:091-9213845,PDMA FDMA:091-9216864, PDMA AJK,058-

22921643, PDMA Gilgit Baltistan, 058-11920874, NDMA, 111-157-157, 051-9205037.