Alert issued: Overflowing Jhelum River inundates 20 villages

Crops on hundreds of acres have been damaged

JHANG: With an increase in water level, Jhelum River has overflowed its banks and the water has inundated at least 20 villages situated in the riverine areas at Athara Hazari Tehsil. The water level is still rising due to high flow from Jhelum River.

Officials said due to extension work, some waterways were closed and as a result, the water level increased in Jhelum River that damaged crops and submerged houses of villagers along both sides of the river. In view of the situation, the residents of affected villages were shifting their family members, animals and valuables to safer places.

While speaking to The Express Tribune, the affected villagers said crops on hundreds of acres of land were washed out and residents were facing hardships. Muhammad Siddiq, a villager said, “The government should rescue us from the current situation as we have been left helpless without a shelter.”



Similarly, another villager Akbar Butt said, “My house is completely submerged in the water. The government is doing nothing to facilitate us.” Meanwhile, Jhang Deputy Commissioner Mudassar Riaz Malik and other officials visited the affected areas and directed the authorities to provide rescue facilities to the affected people.

The DC said, “The water level at Trimmu Headworks is 50,000 cusecs which cannot be termed as flood because lower level flood at Trimmu Headworks starts from 150,000 cusecs.” He maintained, “However, due to closure of some waterways at Trimmu Head, the water level increased in the river which inundated some villages.”

“We have issued an alert and are trying our best to provide all possible facilities to the affected villagers,” he said.

Published in The Express Tribune, May 6^th, 2017.