No respite from floods

Recent reports regarding the flood situation from all over Punjab indicate that the situation is only getting worse as more rain is expected in the coming week.

In Jhang, more than 15 villages have been inundated after an increase in water flow was seen following low-level floods that were reported in River Jhelum near the Head Tareemo area in the district. Flooding has also submerged streets and roads in the Kot Shakar area near Jhang as well and residents are facing numerous problems due to the rising water levels.

Water inflow in River Jhelum near Head Tareemo is currently 141,000 cusecs while the outflow is 129,000 cusecs. Officials have already issued warnings that the water levels are expected to rise.

Kot Addu:

Residents have been told to evacuate as floods are expected to hit the area soon. One person was recently killed after floods struck the Daira Din area. Over 200,000 cusecs of water is currently passing through River Chenab and River Jhelum is in high flood at Trimmu Headworks.

Meanwhile, floods have also wreaked havoc in southern Punjab, with the Kot Addu Bypass being submerged after Muzaffargarh Canal burst its bank.  The Ghazi Ghat Bridge has been closed to traffic due to flooding in Dera Ghazi Khan.

Layyah:

Eleven people have reportedly been killed in a high flood of 900,000 cusecs, which is passing through the suburbs of Layyah. Another flood of 800,000 cusecs hailing from Head Cashma has also entered Layyah, affecting over 300,000 people in the area.

The Pakistan Army personnel are engaged in relief and rescue efforts in the area, where more than 70 settlements have been inundated and people are setting up shelter on the main roads. Rains have hampered relief efforts in the entire region and flood victims have demanded that the Punjab chief minister announce immediate aid packages for the victims.

Taunsa Barrage:

Floods in Taunsa Barrage have had a devastating effect on Daira Deen Panah while Kot Addu has been completely evacuated.

The 100,000 cusecs of water inflow across Taunsa Barrage has affected Daira Deen Panah. People are rapidly moving out of the city to avoid danger with almost 500,000 people already fleeing the area. “It is like a mass migration and we don’t even know where we are going, only that our homes have been destroyed and that we cannot go back,” said Shaukat Ali, a Daira Deen resident.

The collapse of the Muzzaffar Garh Canal and Abbas Wala dyke has also increased water levels in the area. The flood torrent is now merely eight miles from Kot Addu. Local authorities said that there is a real danger that the Kot Addu power plant is also in danger of being destroyed in the flood as as well as the Mahmood Kot Laal power plant.

Indus River:

Thousands of people living along River Indus have not evacuated their homes despite the imposition of Section 144 in the area. The Pakistan Navy and district administration have already completed preparatory arrangements in Sindh amid increasing water flow in the Indus.

The navy has dispatched rescue teams with boats, first aid kits and life saving jackets to Ghotki, Kashmore and Panu Aaqil areas to assist those affected by rising water levels.  More than 70 villages have been inundated after a dyke burst near Meharja area of Ghotki, while water flow has increased near Qadirpur Lop dyke.

Water levels in upstream Guddu barrage is now recorded at 354,000 cusecs and 346,000 cusecs in downstream, while water levels in upstream of Sukkur barrage are currently at 215,000 cusecs and 183,000 cusecs in downstream.

A flood control room has been established in the executive district officer (EDO) Revenue’s office and two dozen relief camps have been established with Rangers and police now deployed near the river.

Published in The Express Tribune, August 4^th, 2010.