MANSEHRA, Oct 08 (APP):Twenty-one years after the devastating October 8, 2005 earthquake, Balakot has rebuilt much of its infrastructure and community life, but several rehabilitation and reconstruction challenges remain unresolved.
The magnitude 7.6 earthquake struck at 8:52am, caused massive destruction across Hazara and Azad Jammu and Kashmir. More than 80,000 people were killed across the affected areas, while reports later put the national death toll above 86,000. Balakot was among the worst-hit areas, with more than 17,000 people reportedly lost their lives.
In Mansehra district alone, 15,997 people were killed and 9,903 injured, while 108,283 houses were completely destroyed and another 34,001 partially damaged.
Talking to APP, local journalist Fahim Khan said that despite significant reconstruction over the past two decades, a number of rehabilitation projects in earthquake-hit areas were still pending. He said Balakot and surrounding communities continued to require attention, particularly regarding development schemes, public facilities and provision of basic services.
Another local journalist, Syed Noman Shah, said the October 8 earthquake remained more than a historical tragedy, as its effects continued to be felt by communities in Balakot and other parts of Hazara. He stressed the need to complete remaining projects related to housing, education, healthcare, roads and other basic infrastructure.
The scale of reconstruction was enormous. In the wider Hazara earthquake-hit areas, 7,053 schemes and buildings were identified for reconstruction, of which 5,410 had been reconstructed by 2023, while 405 were under construction and 781 had yet to enter reconstruction. The education sector was particularly affected, with 2,927 schools and colleges reported destroyed.
The New Balakot City project at Bakrial, planned to relocate residents from the earthquake’s designated red zone, remains one of the major unfinished rehabilitation commitments.
At the same time, the operationalization of the 110-bed Balakot hospital in 2026 represents a significant achievement and provides improved healthcare facilities to residents and visitors.
Both journalists urged the authorities to accelerate work on pending schemes, saying rehabilitation would be truly complete only when affected families have safe housing, functioning schools, accessible healthcare and essential infrastructure.
Source: APP (Associated Press of Pakistan)
