SARGODHA: Ring construction operation to repair the broken 72-inch drainage pipe under the Lower Jhelum Canal has been completed in the city.

According to Deputy Commissioner retired Capt Muhammad Qasim, the work on changing the pipe would start after the drying up of the canal. “Water drainage operation is also being started from the low-lying area of about two dozen residential societies through suction machines and dewatering sets,” he said and added that field hospitals and mobile clinics were also being set up in the affected areas.

It is learnt that the district administration provided breakfast at the homes of women from the affected communities who could not come to the camp site. The affected areas included Babu Mohalla, Salmanpura, Corporation Town, Istiklalabad Colony, Hameed Town, Society Colony, Aziz Bhatti Town, Maqam Hayat, Madina Colony, Ahir Colony and Shaheen Chowk.

Eight suction machines of the Wasa Faisalabad also reached Sargodha and a major drainage operation started in the affected areas along with the available machines of municipal corporation and Cantonment Board. However, neither the water has been drained out yet nor has normalcy been restored which could take more than a couple of days.

On the orders of the district administration, public and private educational institutions in the affected areas remained closed on Monday in view of the flood-like situation in Sargodha city.

Published in Dawn, October 15th, 2024