ISLAMABAD (APP) - The floods that have caused massive devastation across the country struck at a time when tourism was in full swing, especially in Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa and Gilgit Baltistan. Damages inflicted on tourism infrastructure in these areas are estimated to run in billions. Tourism was gradually getting momentum after successful military operation in Swat and Malakand. It was all correct until the recent flood hit. It swept away what had been arduously resurrected after the deadly 2005 earthquake and years of militancy in these enthralling regions. Apart from claiming so many human lives, the floods took serious toll on hotels, motels, bridges, roads, houses. It rendered thousands of people jobless, who were affiliated with tourism. District Coordination Officer Asif Rehman told APP that local administration and Army were jointly carrying out relief operations in the flood hit areas. So far 286 people have been killed and over 100 injured in the flood-related incidents in various areas of the Swat district. Flood water inundated 52 villages and damaged crops on 100,000 acres. According to Naeem Akhtar, spokesman of civil administration, the revenue department has so far registered 120 deaths, destruction of 250 restaurants and 1526 damaged houses. Muhammad Ibrahim of Tehsil Matta said that floods have damaged infrastructure, which was built over 100 years ago, and swept away thousands of shops and restaurants. The floods have also damaged two grid stations at Madman and Khwazakela and partially damaged a hospital in Madman. It would now be challenging situation for the Ministry of Tourism, which is already struggling to get financial support for survival.