At least seven people, including three women and two children, were killed, 35 others injured and six missing as floods caused by Koh-e-Suleman torrents continued to ravage a large area on Wednesday.
A search for the missing people was under way till the evening along with relief operations in the flood-affected areas.
The authorities have set up 18 flood relief camps, more than 10,000 people are being provided food by the local administration and 18 boats of Rescue 1122 are shifting the victims to safe places as the meteorological department has warned that there is a possibility of more rains.
The Punjab irrigation secretary visited the affected areas and instructed officials to provide all possible relief to the victims.
Heavy rains on the Koh-e-Sulaiman range in the past days caused destruction due to severe flooding in Rod Kohi Suriland and Vidor.
As a result, dozens of villages were flooded. The affected areas Pul Qambar, Basti Ahmadani, Basti Lashari, Chowkiwala, Basti Makul, Basti Rustamani, Basti Gul Muhammad, Loharwala, Chit Sarkani, Gadpur and Basti Malanga.
According to local officials, eight people of Basti Chattani in Sanjar Hyder Wali were swept away by floodwaters, of whom the bodies of Amina Bibi and five-year-old Hasina were retrieved, while six people, including two children, were missing.
At least 35 people injured by the floods were shifted to hospitals.
Deputy Commissioner Muhammad Anwar Briar told The Express Tribune that relief camps had been established across the district, where the affected people were being provided medical aid, accommodation and food.
Food is being provided to more than 10,000 people in the area along with over 500 tents and ration bags for families.
About 120 rescue workers with 18 boats and equipment are helping the flood victims. They moved more than 700 people to safe places along with cattle and belongings.
As per the latest information, seven people, including Khalil Ahmed, Muhammad Hussain, Amina Bibi, Rashida, Parveen, Naseem and a three-year-old unidentified child, have been confirmed dead.
The missing people were identified as Hasina Bibi, Munir, Tagu Bibi, Salma, Bushra and Isa Khan.
Meanwhile, on the instructions of Punjab Chief Minister Chaudhry Pervaiz Elahi, Irrigation Secretary Shehryar Sultan visited Dera Ghazi Khan and reviewed the flood situation. Irrigation department officers and the deputy commissioner briefed the secretary.
The provincial secretary said Punjab government would provide ample resources for drainage of floodwater.
He said obstacles in the drainage should be removed and the water inflow and outflow should be closely monitored. He said efforts should be made to protect the local population. The floodwater has caused havoc in many localities and the damage will be assessed after its drainage.
Deputy Commissioner Briar said everyone had to play their role along with the government to deal with natural calamities. The district administration of Dera Ghazi Khan is concentrating its energies on the relief work.
He said the flow of water from rivers and mountains was being continuously monitored, while the flood victims were being helped in every way. The secretary was informed that timely discharge of floodwater through a siphon at Vidor Bridge had been made possible. About 14,000 cusecs of water is flowing into the siphon from the Rod Kohi system.
On the other hand, the meteorological department has forecast a new spell of rain till July 31.
Published in The Express Tribune, July 28th, 2022.
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