Floods cut off DG Khan hill areas

13-hour downpour turns roads across the city into streams

DERA GHAZI KHAN:

A spell of monsoon rains continued in Dera Ghazi Khan and its surroundings, including the Koh-e-Sulaiman area.

Due to flooding in the hill torrents, several mountainous areas have been cut off from the mainland.

Three people were swept away by the floodwaters of the hill torrents at Vidor, following which one of them died.

According to reports, torrential rains have been ongoing for several days in Dera Ghazi Khan and the mountain range.

On Saturday, the rain continued intermittently for 13 hours, causing accumulation of rainwater in low-lying areas of the city, while roads appeared like streams.

Local administration officials oversaw relief operations and drainage rainwater from the main areas.

The rain is expected to continue for several more days and an emergency has been declared in the Dera Ghazi Khan division.

Amid flooding in the hill torrents flowing from the Sulaiman mountains, the flow recorded was 9,325 cusecs in the Suri Lund Rod Kohi, 9,000 cusecs in Sakhi Sarwar, 5,293 cusecs in Mithawan and more than 70,000 cusecs in Vador.

Officials said that with intensification of the rain, there is a possibility of an increase in the intensity of the floods.

In the flood torrent of Vador, three young men were swept away. Two of them were rescued, while one, Idrees, lost his life.

The floodwater from Vador affected the areas of Basti Gadpur, Basti Jeevan Jandani, Basti Tarrar, Basti Loharwala and Ganmanwala, causing damage to homes and crops.

When contacted for details of the damage, District Disaster Management Officer Muhammad Irfan said the district administration could provide the information. However, the district officers were busy in the field.

Dera Ghazi Khan Commissioner Dr Nasir Mahmood Bashir inspected the relief work in the flood-affected areas, including Vidor.

The officials instructed the people of the affected areas to move to safe locations along with their livestock. Government school buildings have been opened as flood relief camps for the affected people. The official said no efforts would be spared in providing medical treatment to the affected people. Adequate quantities of medicines and vaccines for livestock are also available at the relief camps.

The commissioner and deputy commissioner reviewed the facilities available at the relief camps.

The commissioner urged the local people to move their families to safe places and cooperate with the administration.

Deputy Commissioner Meher Shahid Zaman Lak said district administration officers and staff would be available round the clock to assist the victims.

DPO Syed Ali said complete security would be provided to the lives and property of the flood victims.