Indus in low flood at Bhakkar

Irrigation dept staff deployed for round-the-clock monitoring

BHAKKAR:

A low-level flood with increasing water flow was reported in Indus river in Bhakkar district on Thursday.

Inflow of 242,431 cubic metres per second (cusecs) of water and outflow of 232,303 cusecs was recorded at Chashma Barrage.

Heavy machinery has been deployed at the riverbanks in the district and a 32 kilometres flood protection embankment and dozens of related structures are being continuously monitored.

The Punjab Irrigation Department has issued instructions to shift people living along the river to safe places.

The authorities have assigned duties to irrigation department staff to monitor the over 100km of the Indus in the district.

The employees are on patrolling the areas along g the river round the clock and constantly monitoring the flow of water.

Read Flood warning issued for Hazara division

The engineers are also working along with the flood staff on an emergency basis, while leaves the employees of the department across the district have been cancelled.

Irrigation XEn Muhammad Ajmal Khan Bharwana told The Express Tribune that three more structures were under construction to strengthen the flood prevention dyke. He said an emergency camp had been set up where experienced officials were present and monitoring the situation continuously.

The official said the irrigation department had taken all necessary measures to cope with an emergency situation.

The main purpose of the dyke constructed by Punjab government at a huge cost is to protect Bhakkar and crops cultivated over thousands of acres in the low lying areas from flooding. "Protecting this embankment is our number one priority," the official said.

Published in The Express Tribune, July 30^th, 2021.