Floods 2014: 200,000 evacuated from Multan, adjoining areas

Rising water level poses threat to Multan, Muzaffargarh and Bahawalpur.

MULTAN:

The administration has evacuted over 200,000 people from Multan, Shujabaad and Jalalpur Pirwala during the last 24 hours due to mounting pressure of water in the Chenab River amid reports that six people were swept away by the strong current of floodwater in Multan, Muzaffargarh and Vehari districts.

The floodwater has inundated 120 villages in the riverine belt of the Chenab River and Head Panjanad in Uch Sharif, displacing almost 70,000 people over the past 48 hours.  Water from the Chenab has already submerged 100 villages in Shujabad and Jalalpur Pirwala sub-districts of Multan.

Almost 100,000 people have left Muzaffargarh through the ground channel of Bahawalpur, DCO Multan Zahid Saleem Gondal told The Express Tribune Saturday night. The floodwater has entered in Rohainlawaali, the main rural settlement of Muzaffargarh in the Khan Garh area. Frantic residents climbed onto the rooftops of their houses.

A breach that developed in Jhok Bhatiaayn Waala Dyke due to the pressure of floodwater has inundated Muradabad, another major rural settlement of Muzaffargarh. If the breach is not plugged, then the floodwater will enter Muzaffargarh district before Sunday evening.

DCO Khanewal Usman Moazzam said on Saturday that 65,000 acres of farmland and 100 villages had submerged in Khanewal district during the last 24 hours. Around 200 villages are expected to be submerged only in Rahim Yar Khan district in the next 48 hours.

In Multan, water has reached the final defence line of Multan Sikandari Canal while submerging Muhammadpur Ghota, the rural area before Sikndari Canal. As water touches its peak 700,000 cusecs level at Shershah Dyke, explosives have been planted in 20 small dykes and embankments on the way of the Chenab River till its final joining at Chachran Sharif on the confluence of borders between Rahim Yar Khan and Rajanpur districts.

The situation is extremely sensitive at Shershah Dyke and Head Panjanad, and their surroundings are now under the control of Pakistan Army. Water level is continuously rising, posing threat to Multan, Muzaffargarh and Bahawalpur districts, which may be submerged in case of any major breach in any of the dyke.



The water level at Head Panjand has crossed the mark of 380,000 cusecs till the filing of the report and is expected to cross 550,000 cusecs by Sunday evening. The situation at Head Panjanad is a direct threat to a population of almost one million people in sub-districts of Muzaffargarh, including Alipur and Jatoi and Uch Sharif sub-district in Bahawalpur.

Bahwalpur Commissioner Javed Akbar visited Head Panjanad and ordered deployment of 1,100 more police personnel to rescue people. The army has already deployed 400 troops in Head Panjanad and its surrounding areas.

Pakistan Army has rescued 5,000 people during the last 24 hours and distributed 15 tonnes of food among the people who are not willing to leave their homes in the flood-hit areas. More than 500 people were saved through a boat service between the all breaches. Helicopters of Pakistan Navy are also participating in the rescue operation. The super dyke in Shujabad was breached but the breach was filled by Pakistan Army in less than two hours.

On the other hand, the water level has been rising in river Indus also and 3,000 more people have been shifted to safer places in Rajanpur and Rahim Yar Khan districts. The Chenab River is expected to receive another 300,000 cusecs of water today from Head Trimmu.

Published in The Express Tribune, September 14^th, 2014.