MIANWALI, Aug 9: Three people met watery grave and thousands others were rendered homeless, divested of valuables, when high tides in the river Indus ravaged village after village in Mianwali and Dera Ghazi Khan districts during the last 24 hours.

In the former district, a high wave of flood in the Indus with a down-flow capacity of 568,992 cusecs passed through the Jinnah barrage, leaving 38 villages inundated. There too was a loss of cattle and many a mud-house razed or washed away.

Continual rains in the hilly area followed by hill torrents raised the water level in the Indus river. Despite the best possible measures by the district administration, the floodwater damaged standing crops spreading over a vast area.

The affected villages in Isakhel tehsil were: Isakhel Kacha, Kundal, Katcha Umar Kas, Umarkhel, China Pora, Kallur Kacha, Kamar-mushani Kacha, Jantiwali, Visowala, Chak Sarkar, Darazwali Khird, Samandwala, Nurullah, Ahmadwala, Kot Chandna Katcha, Manda Khel, Khudazai and Ganda.

In Mianwali tehsil, Watta Khel Kacha, Yarookhel Kacha, Shahbazkhel Kacha, Chak Muhammad Wala, Rokhri Kacha, Chak Dosari, Nuranga, Tarikhel Kacha, Hindalwala, Dhup-Sari, Wattuanwala, Mochh Kacha, Daudkhel Kacha and in Piplan tehsil, Tibba Meherban Shah, Aloowali, Duaaba, Dhingana, Kundian Kacha, Ahmad Shahwali, Mamuwali and Hazara Shomali were the areas in turmoil.

Punjab Revenue Minister Gul Hameed Rokhri visited the flood-hit areas and assured the people that the government would amply compensate them by exemption of land revenue, delay in payment of agricultural loans besides paying for the damaged houses and other valuables.

At a high-level meeting held in the DCO’s committee room, the minister asked the district administration to shift the people to the relief centres and provide them with food and other basic necessities, and fodder for their animals. He directed the EDO (health) to vaccinate people against snakebite.

The DCO said the stranded people were being rescued through boats to the 12 relief centres set up in the district. Inspection of protective dykes has been assigned to the irrigation department officials.

Meanwhile, the floodwater started receding at Jinnah Barrage (393,086 cusecs) and Chashma Barrage (466,785 cusecs).

DERA GHAZI KHAN: As many as 120 villages and rural settlements in and around the riverine areas suffered the wrath of flood which was caused when a water wave of 612,000 cusecs passed through Taunsa barrage on Wednesday. No loss of life was reported, though several houses were damaged, according to APP.