DERA GHAZI KHAN: The flood caused by heavy torrential rains in the Sulaiman Range led to breaches in protection dykes of two water channels in district Rajanpur, leaving at least 2,500 villagers stranded.

Floodwater breached the protection dyke of Chak Shaheed drain that flooded the surroundings of the village, cutting its 2,500 residents off from the rest of the area.

After another breach in the protection bund in the area of Chak Safdarabad, Mirdost Lolai and Basti, floodwater entered about a dozen villages, including Raja, Basti Hamal, Basti Naubat and Basti Nazar. The protection dyke of Loundi Saidawn is in danger while areas of Lal Garh and Hajipur have also been inundated with flood water.

Due to the monsoon rains, the areas of Rojhan and Jampur tehsils of district Rajanpur are facing losses while tribal low-lying areas are completely flooded.

Gypsy family rescued in Chiniot; Nullah Dek inundates 12 villages in Sialkot

The rescue teams could not reach the affected areas and the people were forced to leave their homes on their own. For the last two days, women, children and the elderly have been suffering from lack of food. The affected people are forced to live in the open.

There is water flow is 833 cusecs in the hill torrent of Kaha, 10,550 cusecs at Chhachhar, 1,500 cusecs at Patook, 1,200 cusecs at Soori Shomali, 1,000 cusecs at Soori Janoobi and 1,500 cusecs at Kala Baga Khosra.

Rojhan Assistant Commissioner Zeeshan Sharif visited the affected areas and reviewed the situation.

CHINIOT: A gypsy family that was stranded in the flood was rescued by Rescue 1122 as the overflow from the river Chenab, which is having a low-level flood, inundated the low-lying areas along the river banks.

The family residing along the river bank was surrounded by the river water after its level increased suddenly and the family members got stranded. Their tents were flushed away. Rescue 1122 rescued the family of eight members.

Due to the monsoon rains, the water level in the Chenab has increased and approximately 75,000 cusecs of water is passing under the Chenab Nagar bridge, causing a low-level flood in the low-lying areas on both sides of the river. The water has inundated crops on hundreds of acres of land and the residents of such areas have shifted to safer places along with their cattle. More water flow is expected from the Head Qadirabad and the district administration has issued an alert to the departments concerned.

NAROWAL: In Sialkot, the water level in the Chenab river and drain Dek has started rising and the district administration has put all the departments on red alert to deal with the possible flood.

The overflow from Nullah Dek has inundated 12 villages and their paddy fields. The villages affected by the drain’s overflow included Ooncha Pahar, Adilpur, Kotli Khawaja, Daulatpur, Dhoda, Haibatpur, Kheva Bajwa and Noorpur. Due to water accumulation around the villages, the local people have shifted their animals to safer places.

Besides the Chenab, the water level is rising faster than normal also in the rainwater drains of Head Khanki, Aik, Pulkho and Bheed, river Manawar Toi, river Jammu Toi, river Manawar Toi and Jammu Toi that meet at Head Marala.

At the confluence of the three rivers at Head Marala, the water level is continuously rising. Due to rising levels in Dek, water came out of the rainwater drain near tehsil Pasrur.

Sialkot Deputy Commissioner Maysam Abbas has told Dawn though the water level in the Chenab river and rainwater drains has increased, the situation is not dangerous yet. He said the water level at Head Marala in Chenab river is 142,650 cusecs its capacity is 1.1m cusecs while the level of drain Dek at Kangra is 8,000 cusecs while its capacity is 25,000 cusecs. He said the water level in Pulkho drain was 1,007 cusecs while it had the capacity of 3,000 cusecs.

Mr Abbas said the district administration is alert to deal with possible flood situation.

Published in Dawn, July 24th, 2022