New lake threatens villagers, farmland

Torrential rains last year also damaged 200 houses

KHUSHAB:

Residents of Khabiki, a village with a population of 12,000 in Soan Valley, are facing a danger of flooding from a newly created lake in Ahmedabad area along with an already existing reservoir.

Hundreds of acres of agricultural land in Khabiki, Ahmedabad, Makardami and Dhaddar areas has been inundated by the two lakes. With the level rising further, the water of Khabiki lake has reached near the houses of local people.

Lake Khabiki is located to the west of the village, while Lake Ahmedabad has formed towards the east.

A local social activist, Malik Safdar Hayat, told The Express Tribune that heavy rains in the Soan Valley a few months ago had wreaked havoc.

The rainwater coming from the hills east of Khabiki entered the low-lying area of Ahmedabad village, as a result of which the lake came into existence, which is about two kilometres long and 2km wide.

About 200 houses were submerged during the rains.

While the lake has caused problems for the people of Ahmedabad, many acres of agricultural land in Khabiki was also inundated.

Local people complained that the government had not taken any step to help them cope with the problems faced by them.

A local social figure said that according to the record of the Revenue Department, Khabiki lake was formed in 1865 over an area of 166 acres.

By 1890, the lake expanded to 192 acres and its area kept increasing over time. In 1985, water from it moved rapidly westwards, inundating the Rawalpindi Road that ran along its banks, which was later realigned through a hill and is still in use.

The lake is now expanding eastwards, towards the village of Khabiki, and the water is flowing towards the populated area.

The recent rains caused the formation of several springs, leading to an increased flow of water along with inflow from the mountain streams and raising the water level in the lake.

Local people expressed fear that more rains could prove dangerous for the population of Khabiki and adjoining areas. They said the government should immediately make arrangements for draining water from the lakes.

A villager, Khuda Bakhsh Awan, said Khabiki lake was handed over to the tourism department in 2017 and attracts people from far and wide for sightseeing and enjoyment, but for the locals the lakes pose a threat.

He said hundreds of acres have been submerged in lakes in the rainy area where people own small pieces of agricultural land.

The government has not announced alternative land or compensation for the affected landowners.

Ahmedabad-based political figure Mohammad Rafique said the torrential rains in September not only deprived farmers of livelihood but also damaged nearly 200 houses in the area. No steps have been taken by the government for the welfare of these families and they have not been supported, he complained.

Assistant Commissioner Nowshera Zeeshan Labha Masih told Express Tribune that cases to help the victims have been forwarded to the authorities concerned.

Published in The Express Tribune, January 22^nd, 2021.