Dozens of villages marooned

Boats evacuate people from Chenab, Sutlej river beds

KASUR/ LAHORE:

As floodwater entered 40 villages and affected over 48,000 people near River Chenab, the caretaker Punjab government directed the departments concerned on Wednesday to monitor the situation of the rivers round the clock.

A low-level flood due to continuous rise in the water level in Sutlej river in Kasur also marooned dozens of villages.

The provincial irrigation secretary and Faisalabad division commissioner briefed Caretaker Chief Minister Mohsin Naqvi about relief activities, arrangements made for medical facilities and flow of water in the Chenab.

While visiting a village in Jhang to take stock of the situation, the caretaker CM viewed the water level in Karor Baqir and adjoining areas, and observed deluged villages.

He also inquired about problems of the residents of the deluged village. He directed the departments concerned to ensure access to the inundated villages and monitor the water situation in the river.

Officials concerned were ordered to ensure evacuation from the river bed.

The irrigation department, Provincial Disaster Management Authority (PDMA) and Rescue 1122 were on alert to cope with any untoward situation.

Speaking to the media, the caretaker CM confirmed that the flood in River Chenab had affected 48,000 people.

Relief and medical camps have been established for them.

Up to four feet of water was present in the most flooded villages.

There was a lower level of flood at Karor Baqir.

Naqvi said sewerage problems existed in all towns of Punjab, including Jhang.

He also made an aerial visit of inundated villages in Jhang and other areas surrounding River Chenab. Meanwhile, low-level flood hit villages in Kasur due to continuous rise in the water level in Sutlej river, leaving dozens of villages inaccessible by land.

Standing crops on hundreds of acres were also flooded.

District administration officials were busy moving the residents across the river to safe places on boats.

According to officials, water released by India for the second time entered the Kasur region, due to which the water level in the Sutlej rose to 21 feet at the Kikar point.

The water discharge increased to 70,000 cubic feet per second at Ganda Singhwala, which created a low level flood situation.

A number of villages and low-lying areas, including Bhiki, Chanda Sighwala, Gatti Kalanjar, Basti Bangla, Dhoop Sari, Mabokay and Basti Hakim Wala were submerged in floodwater.

The affected villages were marooned.

The district administration and rescue teams were helping to transport them by boat and providing them food and other essential rations.

Deputy Commissioner Muhammad Arshad Bhatti said arrangements had been completed to deal with a flood emergency and the situation was under control. The caretaker chief minister also visited a flood relief camp at Talwar post.

Provincial Caretaker Minister Syed Azfar Ali reviewed the operation for the evacuation of the population from the river bed and called for increasing the number of rescue staff and machinery.

He also promised to talk to the higher authorities about the restoration of mobile phone service in the area.

Published in The Express Tribune, July 13^th, 2023.