Flood forces evacuation of 700 people

Crops spread over thousands of acres of land swept away

CHISHTIAN:

The River Sutlej flooded several settlements lying 25 kilometers off the main city of Chistian.

Rescue 1122 personnel evacuated 700 people from the affected areas.

Agriculture Department sources said flood swept across crops spread over thousands of acres of land.

The situation worsened due to the breach in the Bilawal Dam, flooding areas such as Fatani, Basti Ludhira, Basti Hisham Bhatti, Basti Vatwan, Basti Ghulam Ali, Basti Ali Sher, Basti Kholaran, Basti Dala Akoka, and Shadam Shah.

The Tehsildar of Chishtian, Khalid Mehmood, told the media that the damage caused to the crops could only be determined once the floodwater receded.

Several people were killed in Pakpattan and Vehari the other day as the flood in River Sutlej had intensified.

Villagers started migrating from the inundated areas along the river after the floodwater claimed lives.

A man and his wife living near Gadan Bor dam in the Qubola area were electrocuted by a bare wire in their home. They were identified as Asif and Rani Bibi.

A man, Majeed, died on the spot while Imtiaz was severely injured when the wall of a house surrounded by floodwater collapsed in the Rahmani Malkana village. Imtiaz was referred to Lahore from a hospital in Pakpattan due to his critical condition.

A breach in the Saldera Dam in inundated Balara Lakhoka, Basti Muhammad Hussain Kharal, Mari Amb and adjoining areas, destroying standing crops.

Local officials said around 150 houses had been flooded.

The flow of water in the River Sutlej in the area was 72,000 cusecs, indicating a low-level flood.

A low-level flood at Head Islam also submerged two villages and eleven settlements. Crops over hundreds of acres were destroyed.

Local people began evacuating the low-lying areas along the river. The level of the river was continuously increasing because of release of water by India coupled with heavy rains.

The water flow at Head Islam was recorded at 52,000 cusecs. The floodwater overflowing from Sulaimanki wreaked havoc in areas along the river bed.

Several settlements in the low-lying areas were submerged and residents forced to leave their homes for safety along with their animals.

Published in The Express Tribune, August 1^st, 2023.