In Punjab, the floods continued to wreak devastation as three children were the latest casualties of the deluge. The children, aged between 7 and 10 years, drowned in Kaiyan Wala in Chiniot, bringing the death toll from Punjab to 246. According to the NDMA, the total national death toll is 323.
As announced earlier by the flood forecasting department and the Pakistan Disaster Management Authority (PDMA), 850,000 cusecs to 900,000 cusecs of water will cross Sindh and residents of katcha areas have been asked to move to safer places. However, some residents have refused to evacuate, saying that the water level is not likely to affect them.
By Thursday evening, the water level at Punjnad upstream was 293,526 cusecs and downstream was 278,096 cusecs. At Guddu Barrage, upstream was 352,186 cusecs and downstream was 327,274 cusecs while at Sukkur Barrage, upstream was 215,050 cusecs and downstream was 161,455 cusecs. At Kotri Barrage, upstream was 73,025 cusecs and downstream was 35,110 cusecs.
The Sindh government has allocated funds to district administrations for residents of katcha areas who may seek shelter in the relief camps. While camps have been set up at some places, sources said the money allocated for relief efforts are being usurped by officials, who say that a significant number of residents of katcha areas are heading to relief camps. However, there are no reports of residents moving to the camps as yet.
Pakistan Peoples Party patron-in-chief Bilawal Bhutto Zardari accompanied Sindh Chief Minister Qaim Ali Shah and PPP leader Sherry Rehman to Sukkur Barrage on Thursday, his first visit to the area. Secretary Irrigation Sindh Babar Effandi briefed Bilawal on the barrage and the situation of protective bunds. Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif was also scheduled to visit Sukkur on Thursday, but the visit was abruptly cancelled.
Chairman National Disaster Management Authority Major General Saeed Aleem visited flood-hit areas in Multan and Muzaffargarh districts on Thursday, accompanied by Corps Commander Multan and local officials. The NDMA chairman also visited Sukkur Barrage, where he was informed that the provincial government is on high alert and has ensured all possible steps to avoid damages.
Situation in Punjab
The water has started to recede in all flood-hit areas of South Punjab including Khanewal, Multan, Bahawalpur, Muzaffargarh, Rajanpur and Rahim Yar Khan districts. Ground communications are still suspended there. Flood victims in some of the relief camps have started to go back to their hometowns. According to the initial assessment, 12,000 houses have been directly affected or grounded in Punjab. Dykes have not been repaired in many districts and the water has shifted from Head Punjnad to Muzaffargarh.
Published in The Express Tribune, September 19th, 2014.
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