Flood alert issued for Alipur tehsil

People living near River Chenab asked to move to safer places

MUZAFFARGARH:

District administration has issued flood alert in Alipur Tehsil and urged the people living in adjacent areas of River Chenab to move to safer places under preventive measures to save their lives and properties.

In line with special directives of the district administration, announcements have been made through mosques in all the areas in which the residents were urged to move to safer places. The administration has established flood relief camps at Midwala, Basti Jhangan and Government High School Saifpur.

The administration has also deployed health and livestock department teams at the flood relief camps.

On the other hand, the rescue departments have started shifting of people and cattle to safer places from the areas adjacent to the River Chenab.

According to the irrigation department sources, water arrival at Head Punjnad was 98,000 cusec feet and water flow was 96,000 cusec feet.

However, the situation could turn worse after arrival of 300,000 cusec feet of water released by India in the River Chenab.

Meanwhile, a woman died as a wall collapsed due to stagnant rainy water at Basti Lundi Patafi in Tehsil Jatoi, district Muzaffargarh.

According to a Rescue 1122 spokesperson, Ruqqiah Bibi had been collecting wheat husk at a warehouse when its adjacent wall collapsed suddenly, burying the woman under its debris. The wall had become weaker due to stagnant rainy water for the last few days. The woman was taken to a hospital where she was pronounced dead.

Meanwhile, the Relief Commissioner of Punjab, Zahid Akhtar Zaman, on Monday paid a visit to flood-hit areas in Rajanpur and ordered speeding up of relief operation after conducting a survey of the affected areas.

Addressing a meeting at the DG Khan’s commissioner’s office after taking briefing from officers concerned, Zahid Akhtar Zaman directed the officers to increase mobile veterinary dispensaries at flood-hit areas.

Expressing apprehension that standing water could cause breaking out of epidemics, the relief commissioner instructed the officers to apply sprays and hold physical examination of dwellers of the area followed by animals' vaccination to stay safe and sound. He reiterated the government’s stance that inhabitants of the affected areas would be given compensation to the losses they have suffered.

The modus operandi of providing relief to the victims from the federal and Punjab governments would soon be devised, he added.

Deputy Commissioner Anwar Babar on the occasion said that about 3,000 food bags were given to the people. He said the edibles would cater to need of every family at least for a month. In addition, 2,500 tents were given among the flood victims, said the deputy commissioner.

Published in The Express Tribune, August 2^nd, 2022.