DERA GHAZI KHAN: The Kaha mountain drain in Rajanpur experienced a massive flood with a flow of 105,000 cusecs, while the Vidoor drain in Dera Ghazi Khan recorded a flow of 75,000 cusecs on Monday. The Kala Bagh Khosra in Rajanpur surpassed its previous record, leading to a flood that exceeded its capacity and caused significant devastation. All drains in Rujhan tehsil of district Rajanpur were inundated, with levels nearing the record floods of 2022, though the record was not broken.

In Dera Ghazi Khan, the Sakhi Sarwar mountain drain also flooded, while the Chhachhar mountain drain in Rajanpur surged to 53,000 cusecs before showing signs of receding.

Currently, the situation remains dire, particularly in the tribal areas of Rajanpur, known as Pachadh or the arid zone. The Vadoor drain in Dera Ghazi Khan has overflowed, inundating drains and sewers in Jampur and causing destruction in the settlements of Dera Ghazi Khan district. The floodwaters have also spread into standing rice crops, exacerbating the damage.

The district administration is providing assistance to the victims of the hill torrent floods in Dera Ghazi Khan district. All necessary items are being supplied to the affected residents in the flood-hit villages of Shahani, Jeevan Jindani and Gamowala. Political Assistant Muhammad Asad Chandia and Assistant Commissioner Taimur Usman reported that due to the 75,000 cusecs of water flowing into the Vadoor mountain drain on Sunday, water has accumulated in other nearby areas. In an effort to reduce the water flow, the district administration, in collaboration with the Irrigation Department, has installed two cuts on Manka.

They added that, in addition to dinner, morning breakfast has also been provided to the flood victims, and relief camps have been established in Loharwala, Gadpur, and Basti Shahani to accommodate those affected by the floodwaters.

URBAN FLOODING: After heavy rainfall that led to urban flooding in Dera Ghazi Khan, Commissioner Dr Nasir Mehmood Bashir and Deputy Commissioner Shahid Zaman Lak inspected various areas in the city late Sunday night to oversee the water drainage process. The commissioner inspected Musharraf Chowk, Ladies Park, Committee Circle, Traffic Chowk, Model Town, and Bhutta Colony, monitoring ongoing efforts to drain rainwater and issuing instructions to expedite the process.

He said that 90% of the water drainage had been completed across the city and assured the public that the remaining roads and streets still inundated with water were being actively drained. Municipal Corporation staff and machinery are working tirelessly around the clock to clear all roads and streets within the next few hours.

PLANS: Provincial Irrigation Minister Punjab Kazim Peerzada outlined the government’s plans to mitigate the damage caused by hill torrents and ensure the protection of vulnerable areas. Mr Peerzada announced that a permanent solution is being pursued to prevent future flooding in Rujhan city. An 18-kilometre strong protective embankment will be constructed to safeguard the area.

He said that the Punjab government is fully committed to addressing the suffering of flood victims and will compensate for the financial losses incurred after a thorough survey. Following instructions from Chief Minister, Peerzada personally inspected the flood-affected regions in Rajanpur district. He credited the district administration and the Irrigation Department’s proactive measures for significantly reducing the impact of the floods.

“The PML-N government stands by the victims as always,” Peerzada said. “We will continue our efforts until the complete rehabilitation of the affected communities.” He assured that all essential facilities are being provided at the relief camps for those displaced by the floods.

He said that Wapda is designing a dam to harness the water from hill torrents. This infrastructure will not only serve the Pachad area but will also be utilised for irrigation purposes, aiming to benefit local communities in the long term.

The announcement was made in the presence of Rajanpur Deputy Commissioner Shafqatullah Mushtaq, MPA Abdul Aziz Khan Dreshk, EXEN of Irrigation Umar Abdul Rehman and media representatives.

Published in Dawn, August 20th, 2024