DERA GHAZI KHAN/LAHORE: Hill torrents Kaha Sultan and Chhachhar caused widespread destruction to settlements and farmland in Rajanpur district following heavy rain in Sulaiman Range mountains during the last 24 hours.

The Provincial Disaster Management Authority (PDMA) on Sunday issued flash flood alerts as it expected heavy rains in Dera Ghazi Khan, Multan and Bahawalpur divisions.Alert has been issued to DCs of Rajanpur, Kot Addu, Layyah, Muzaffargarh, Khanewal, Lodhran, Vehari, Rahim Yar Khan and Bahawalnagar.There is a risk of flash flooding due to heavy rains in the Dera Ghazi Khan hills.

PDMA DG Irfan Ali Kathia said that all departments should be on alert to deal with the emergency situation. He said the administration remained on high alert in view of the fear of flash flooding.

In Rajanpur, there is a flood situation in the rivers and mountains due to the rain that has been going on for the last three days. The PDMA refuted the reports about release of water from India into Pakistani territory.

Flash flood alert for south Punjab districts; flooding feared around Ravi in Sahiwal district

In Rajanpur, flood breached Laoundi Syedan dam, inundating several areas of Pachad.

According to the District Flood Control Room, 105,276 cusecs of water was flowing through Dara Kaha, 41,300 cusecs through Dara Chhachhar, causing severe flooding in low-lying areas, including Loundi Syedan.

Flood also affected Harand, Balhar, Garkna Waziri and numerous other villages, disconnecting land connections to Rajanpur district headquarters.

Local sources say flood relief camps set up by the district administration are largely insufficient, with government machinery allegedly missing from the affected areas. Meanwhile, residents of riverine areas have begun migrating to higher grounds as the Indus River’s water level continues to ise.

The hill torrents discharge report says several torrents are currently experiencing high to medium discharge, which could pose potential risk to areas along. Local authorities are closely monitoring the situation, particularly in areas where torrents are nearing or have reached high discharge levels. Residents in affected regions have been advised to stay alert and follow any instructions from local officials to ensure their safety.Efforts to relocate local residents, along with their property and livestock, to safer areas have begun. Revenue staff are maintaining constant contact with the local population to ensure their safety.

In areas like Loharwala and Gadpur, rescue teams and personnel from various departments, including livestock and health services, are on the ground to assist the affected.

Relief camps have been established and vaccination of livestock has commenced. Medical teams, including doctors and paramedical staff, are also on site

Meanwhile, the body of a youth was recovered from Wadoor mountain drain by Rescue 1122 staff. He was identified as Muhammed Awais of Alliyani village.

SAHIWAL: The district administration has declared a high alert to due to ongoing wet spell and the heightened risk of flooding near Qutab Shahana bridge on the Sahiwal-Faisalabad Road and the surrounding villages on the left side of the river Ravi.

The area has been facing erosion for the past three decades, with villages such as Dad Baloch, Mir Dad Mafi, Nathu Wasli, Koray Shah, Basti Shahikh Tayab and Chak Sheraza suffering significant damage, including loss of agricultural land and many public buildings housing schools and a BHU.

Over the past two months, the district administration, in coordination with the highway and irrigation departments, has been working to reinforce the left dyke.

Deputy Commissioner Ms Saima Ali told Dawn the administration was on high alert and had taken various precautionary measures. These include establishing emergency camps for flood relief in village-level public schools, livestock vaccination programme, medical camps by the health department, irrigation department stations and Rescue 1122 emergency camps.

She said two development projects under the “Erosion Action Scheme” in the areas surrounding Qutab Shahana Road and Dad Baloch village had been completed. These projects involved the use of stones, sand and wireframes to strengthen embankments.

Shafiq Butt from Sahiwal also contributed to this report

Published in Dawn, August 19th, 2024