As a preventive measure, authorities have decided to break the dyke near Kot Sabzal to stop floodwater from destroying the national highway in Rahim Yar Khan.
Floods continue to threaten areas in Punjab as a flood torrent from River Indus, after wreaking havoc in low-lying areas of Muzaffargarh district, is now closing in on Jatoi and Alipur Tehsil. Seventeen villages have already been flooded in the area.
As many as 70 villages were inundated on Thursday as unrestrained flood water battered the district.
After water entered Shehar Sultan and Rohilanwali City road links to Rohilanwali, Sheher Sultan, Muzaffargarh, Jatoi and Alipur were severely damaged, seriously hampering evacuation of flood victims from the areas.
The district government has so far evacuated over 90,000 people, mainly farmers, tenants and daily wagers, while around 49 relief camps have also been set up in the district.
After causing devastation in South Punjab, water levels in River Indus are gradually falling as the flood torrent moves from to Sindh. However, thousands of homeless people are still awaiting medical assistance following an outbreak of cholera, diarrhoea and several skin diseases in the flood-hit areas.
Kotri Barrage in danger
A flood torrent of more than 705,325 cusecs of water is currently passing through the Kotri Barrage after more than 15 years inundating vast areas in Jamshoro and Thatta districts, while the Sindh Irrigation Department has warned that there is danger of high level flood at Kotri during the next 24 to 48 hours.
Up in Guddu and Sukkur barrages, water levels are continuously decreasing. Water inflow at Guddu Barrage stands at 946,718 cusecs while outflow is 945,178 cusecs, while water inflow at Sukkur Barrage stands at 990,535 cusecs.
Floods submerge cities in Balochistan
Gandakha, Tambu and Suhbatpur areas of Jafferabad were submerged as flood torrents continue to hit the district.
Following a breach in Saifullah Canal, areas with Gandakha including Imam Bux Jamal, Feroz Jamali, Kamal Lahri, Mehboob Jamali and Mir Muhammad Sasoli have been inundated.
Several villages within Suhbatpur, including Goth Abdul Sattar Khosa, Goth Haji Essa, Goth Ismail Khosa and Jhanda Talab are submerged in water.
Dera Allah Yar city also remains inundated and thousands of people are confined to their houses. The flood affectees are also dissatisfied with the slow pace of relief efforts.
Stampede at Karachi relief camp
Earlier, three women were killed in stampede in a relief camp in the Korangi area of Karachi. The stampede occurred when authorities started distributing food among the affectees at the camp.
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