The flood torrent, which is headed towards Sindh, has affected land routes connecting Rojhan with the rest of the country, and the city’s population of nearly 200,000 people awaits help.
In case any dyke protecting the area is broken, it is feared Rojhan city would be inundated within minutes.
Also, the Karachi-Lahore-Peshawar highway has also been flooded near Rahim Yar Khan disconnecting land routes between Sindh and Punjab and although major areas of Rahim Yar Khan District have been saved, nearly 200 villages in the adjoining areas of Bhong, Chachran Sharif, Rukunpur, Tamaldin Wali and Khan Bela have been severely affected by floods.
Over in the Muzaffargarh district, another flood torrent has washed away most of the areas with an exception of Muzaffargarh city, Alipur, Sheher Sultan and Khangarh.
These areas are still on high alert though as the water-level in the adjacent Taunsa Barrage stands at 774,000 cusecs a day which is regarded as very high flood. In several reported incidents, residents of these areas have refused to evacuate their homes saying they do not wish to leave their belongings behind, even if it is done at the cost of their lives.
According to reports received on Sunday evening, the flow of water in Chashma Barrage was recorded to be 596,000 cusecs per day on Sunday – showing an increase in comparison to the reading taken on Saturday evening of 560,000 cusecs a day.
The flow of water at Tarbela and Kalabagh was recorded to be 383,000 cusecs a day and 480,000 cusecs per day, respectively.
Published in The Express Tribune, August 16th, 2010.
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