Flood ‘14: 2.5 million people are left bruised, battered

Crops on 1.5 million acres of farmland destroyed and thousands of homes damaged

ISLAMABAD:

This year’s rain-induced floods, which are currently rampaging through central Punjab, have caused widespread devastation in Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK), Punjab and Gilgit-Baltistan (G-B), affecting nearly 2.5 million people and swamping crops on 1.5 million acres of farmland, according to official stats.

Of the affected population, the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) said that 2.419 million were in Punjab and 38,238 in AJK. The authority could confirm that 289 people have been killed – 209 in Punjab, 66 in AJK and 14 in G-B – and 507 were wounded in flood-related incidents. Unofficial tally is much higher, however.

About the material losses, the NDMA stats show that the deluge inundated 2,818 villages in Punjab and 120 in AJK. As many as 2,908 houses were fully and 36,268 were partially damaged – mostly in Punjab. Similarly, crops on over 1.5 million acres of land – 1.5 million acres in Punjab, 2,042 in AJK and 712 acres in G-B – have been affected. Additionally, 7,890 cattle were also swept away by the rain-swollen rivers and hill torrents – most of them in G-B and AJK.

The Lahore-based Flood Forecasting Department (FFD) says that according to the latest hydrological conditions, the Indus River at Guddu is likely to attain ‘high’ to ‘very high’ flood levels ranging between 600,000 to 700,000 cusecs from September 15 to 16.

Moreover, the Indus River at Sukkur is likely to attain ‘high’ to ‘very high’ flood levels ranging between 600,000 to 700,000 cusecs from September 16 to 17. Under this condition, Muzaffargarh, Rahim Yar Khan, Rajanpur, Jacobabad, Shikarpur, Ghotki and Sukkur districts are likely to be inundated.

According to the forecast of the Pakistan Meteorological Department, scattered thundershowers with isolated heavy rainfall is expected over Rawalpindi, Sargodha, Gujranwala, Lahore and Faisalabad divisions along with Gilgit-Baltistan and Kashmir during the next 24 hours.

The NDMA says that the heavy water flow in the Indus River moving towards Panjnad Headworks after passing through Trimmu is likely to inundate the areas in the vicinity of Panjnad Headwork. Brigadier Ishtiaq Ahmad, Member Operations NDMA, is currently stationed at the Panjnad Headworks for assessment of on-ground flood situation. These teams will also monitor rescue and relief activities in Multan and Muzaffargarh districts.

Rescue efforts

The army’s rescue and relief operation continues in the flood-hit areas of Multan, Muzaffargarh, Uch Sharif, Bahawalpur and Athara Hazari, according to the ISPR. A non-commissioned officer of the army, Naib Subedar Annab, died while rescuing civilians in Multan. Seven helicopters and 300 boats have been busy in rescue operations since September 5. In all, the army has rescued 37,000 people thus far. Similarly, the army has set up 18 medical camps to provide medical care to flood survivors.

The Pakistan Navy, meanwhile, said it has rescued 30 people and recovered 17 bodies after a tragic boat capsize incident near Shershah area of Multan. A navy rescue team rushed to the scene with Zulu boats, Alouette helicopters and specialised divers and saved the precious lives which were subsequently shifted to a safer place, says a press release. The navy also rescued and shifted to dry ground thousands of stranded people from the flood-devastated areas, it adds.

Published in The Express Tribune, September 15^th, 2014.