Bus driver drowns in hill torrent

One killed, seven injured as sudden flooding struck the Sakhi Sarwar Road

DERA GHAZI KHAN: A man was killed and seven others were injured as sudden flooding struck the Sakhi Sarwar Road after rain in Koh-e-Suleman area.

Three buses of pilgrims visiting a shrine were swept away from the bank of a stream.

The flooding took place after heavy rain in Fort Munro, Koh-e-Suleman and adjoining areas.

As a result of the incident, several persons went missing. Later, the body of a bus driver was retrieved. Border Military Police and Rescue 1122 teams launched a search operation after reaching the spot.

Meanwhile, Punjab Chief Minister Sardar Usman Buzdar issued directives for speeding up the rescue operation.

The CM also directed the administration, Rescue 1122 and other agencies concerned to use all the resources in the operation. He also sought a report from the administration on the incident.

In July 2016, several areas of the district were inundated by high-level floods in Dera Ghazi Khan’s hill torrents. In August 2015, nearly 2,000 families were displaced and 150 houses of Qasba Wadore were damaged due to the flood in DG Khan’s hill torrents.

Authorities concerned were told to remain on high alert.

Published in The Express Tribune, March 5^th, 2020.