35 dead, over 50 missing in RY Khan flooding

RAHIM YAR KHAN: Heavy showers, predicted to continue, have caused havoc in Southern Punjab, not only to crops, but an approximate 50 animals and over 35 people are also missing.

The flooded streams in Baluchistan, spilling all the way down to Southern Punjab, are also taking an adverse toll in the area, in and around Rahim yar Khan.

The District Police Officer of Badkah, a village adjacent to Rahim yar Khan, Essa Jaan told The Express Tribune that 13 bodies of the 35 missing have been recovered. Nine of the 13 belonged to the same family, he said. Two bridges - connecting Kohlo and Barkhan to Rahim yar Khan – also collapsed resultantly.

On the orders of the DPO Jaan and DCO Gul, patrolling teams have been deployed to search for the missing people.

The rescue officials are wading through the flooded regions in search of bodies around the clock, the DPO said.

The Barkhan Deputy Commissioner has directed the Treasury Department to evaluate loss and submit a report in this regard. The downpour has been reported to continue, said a Met official. No government help has been reported in relief efforts so far.

Published in The Express Tribune, July 23^rd, 2010.