Sutlej swamps 80-plus villages

BAHAWALNAGAR:

Many river embankments built by residents of Bahawalnagar on their own have collapsed and overflowing water from the Sutlej has affected over 80 villages, submerging thousands of acres of farmland in the past six days.

According to local residents, a number of people have been left homeless and there are fears of more losses as the water level is rising.

Witnesses told The Express Tribune that livestock had also been marooned in the flooded rural areas.

Additionally, fields of rice and other crops fields have been destroyed by the the floodwater.

A resident of an affected locality said the relief camps set up by the government lacked basic facilities.

He said the water level in the river was rising, which could cause more damage.

A Rescue 1122 official said around 1,100 people trapped in the floodwater had been safely relocated to secure places along about 4,000 animals.

He said many people were marooned in various areas but most of them had refused to leave their localities.

He said rescue teams were assisting those who wished to be evacuated, and boats had also been deployed for emergency use.

He said the affected people were being provided help round the clock.

Bahawalnagar Deputy Commissioner Zulfiqar Ahmed Bhoon said 18 relief camps had been set up in three tehsils of Bahawalnagar and Chishtian, where arrangements for food and shelter had been made.

The rising water in River Sutlej has submerged thousands of acres of farmland.

Land erosion because of the increased river flow has also destroyed agricultural areas.

The people living along the river rely economically on farming and rearing animals, and both the means of livelihood are under threat from the flood.

Local people claim that the floodwater has already caused losses of millions of rupees.

The number of people living in the open and in relief camps in the area after the inundation of their homes has also risen to thousands.

Published in The Express Tribune, July 26^th, 2023.