None of the katcha area residents in Rahim Yar Khan who were warned two days ago about likelihood of flood in River Indus in the coming weeks have yet evacuated.
Talking to The Express Tribune, the residents said they did not plan to leave the areas because they did not believe flood was an imminent threat.
Irrigation Department Executive Engineer Mukhtar Ahmad Danish said the residents had been warned. He said it was up to the residents to decide when they wanted to evacuate.
Evacuation warnings have been issued to residents of Baitullah Wasaya, Kacha Mohri, Chak Kapra, Chak Yaro Shah, Chak Baile Shah, Bangla Acha, Nabi Shah, Son Miani, Chak Imrani, Kacha Chak Weha, Kach Bait Meer Ahmad, Kacha Fatehpur Tiwana, Kacha Muslimabad, Kacha Hajipur, Kachi Khan Muhammad and Chak Dilwani areas.
The XEN said as long as there was no rainfall in the catchment area of the river there was no risk of a high flood.
He said the flow in Indus was 200,000 cusec near Chachran Sharif, 225,000 near in Taunsa and 250,000 near Chashma.
He said arrangements had been put in place by the district government, police and the Irrigation Department for rescue and relief in case of a flood.
Meanwhile, certain of katcha areas near Chachran Sharif have already been inundated. Residents of Kacha Sabzani and Kacha Gopang have relocated to a place near Minchin bund. Other areas affected by the rise in water level are Kacha Chohan, Kacha Mianwali, Kacha Muslim Abad, Chakarwali, Kacha Razi, Kachi Jamal and Kacha Karachi.
Pulses, fodder and cotton crop on hundreds of acres in these areas have been destroyed. The farmers who had grown sugarcane are however still hopeful that their crop will survive. They said there would be no damage to the cane crop if water receded in a week.
Published in The Express Tribune, July 21st, 2012.
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