Heavy rains, hail storm lash Dera Ghazi Khan

Farmers hit hard as floodwaters devastate crops

DERA GHAZI KHAN:

Koh-e-Sulaiman in Dera Ghazi Khan have borne the brunt of heavy rains, hailstorms, and subsequent flooding, wreaking havoc on agricultural crops and disrupting power supply.

In response to the widespread damage, residents and farmers have demanded of the Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz to declare the region a calamity-hit zone.

The recent bout of heavy rainfall, experienced not only in Dera Ghazi Khan but also in neighbouring cities of Punjab, brought temporary relief from scorching temperatures but brought catastrophe to the tribal areas nestled within the Sulaiman Mountains. Areas such as Mount Sulaiman, Fort Munro, Sakhi Sarwar, Rakhi Gaj, Taunsa, and their surroundings faced torrents of water, inundating fields and causing extensive harm to wheat and chickpea crops.

The night's relentless downpour and hailstorm proved catastrophic for agricultural communities residing in the mountainous terrain.

Wheat crops spanning over 40,000 acres in Town Sokar, South Village, Chit Pani, Baghlani, and Jhok Rohal of Taunsa were obliterated.

Furthermore, the overflow of the Sanghar Ravine wreaked havoc in Town Ashraf, Jarhi Leghari, Jarrah, Aara, Mubarak, Lingah, Geha, and Pulwa North.

The unyielding deluge has not only decimated crops across thousands of acres but also raised concerns about food scarcity in the region.

Despite fervent prayers at mosques to halt the rainfall, efforts to appease the weather gods have proven ineffective, exacerbating anxiety among residents.

Additionally, the disruption of power supply, owing to multiple tripped feeders, has compounded the woes of remote communities.

In light of the widespread devastation, residents and farmers have called relief and assistance to those affected by the heavy rains.

Published in The Express Tribune, March 31^st, 2024.