Decreasing water level eases situation at Guddu, Sukkur

Water level at Guddu Barrage has decreased by 65,000cusecs and at Sukkur Barrage by 92,000cusecs in the last 24 hours.

Decreasing water level has eased the super-flood situation at Sukkur and Guddu barrages. Water level at Guddu Barrage has decreased by 65,000 cusecs in the last 24 hours.

The inflow is now 686,859 cusecs. The outflow of water stands at 6 76,215 cusecs.

At Sukkur Barrage, the water level has decreased by 92,000 cusecs in the last 24 hours. The inflow stands at 735,748 cusecs while outflow of water stands at 691,978 cusecs.

Sukkur Barrage control room has signaled a further decrease in the water level bringing the flood risk to low level.

Southern Punjab

Flood victims started returning to their homes in southern Punjab amid lack of relief efforts.

The flood hit areas are still under 3 to 4 feet of water following the passage of a high flood torrent through Dera Ghazi Khan, Rajanpur and Taunsa. The traffic system has been badly disrupted by the floods.

Meanwhile, intermittent rain showers have again raised the level of streams posing a threat to Dera Ghazi Khan. Adding to the woes of flood affectees, wheat stock and livestock have been swept away by the flood water. They now require aid as the prices of various commodities have soared in the affected areas.

The greatest health concerns in flood-affected areas are water-borne diseases, which are made worse by poor hygiene and sanitation conditions. Medical assistance also needs to be expedited as diseases such as Malaria and Cholera are spreading among the flood victims.

Earlier, a United Nations (UN) spokesman said that up to 3.5 million children are at high risk from deadly water-borne diseases as a result of the devastating floods.

The UN has launched an urgent appeal for more helicopters for Pakistan where it said 800,000 people have been cut off by the country’s devastating floods and were only reachable by air.