Hundreds rescued as flash floods hit Sulaiman Range

Tourists, tribal residents stranded after seasonal streams overflow

DERA GHAZI KHAN:

Heavy monsoon rains in the Sulaiman Mountain Range triggered flash floods in seasonal streams around Sakhi Sarwar and adjoining areas, leaving tourists, travellers and residents of tribal regions stranded as they attempted to return from popular recreational spots.

The district administration launched a rescue operation after Deputy Commissioner and Senior Commandant Dera Ghazi Khan Muhammad Usman Khalid took notice of the situation.

Under the supervision of Political Assistant Koh-e-Sulaiman Amir Taimur, the Border Military Police (BMP) deployed personnel and vehicles to flood-hit routes to assist those trapped by swollen streams.

Rescue teams safely evacuated stranded tourists, travellers, women, children and tribal residents, along with their belongings, to secure locations. BMP personnel also helped private vehicles and motorcycles cross flooded crossings, while at several locations they carried motorcycles and luggage on their shoulders to help people reach safety.

Officials said valuable belongings and vehicles belonging to stranded travellers were also safely recovered during the operation.

In one emergency, the Border Military Police transported a pregnant woman in labour to hospital in an official vehicle after she was unable to cross the flooded route.