LAYYAH, July 29 The Layyah district administration has issued flood warning and advised the people living in the riverine area to move to safer places because of heavy rains in the catchments and fears of a high level flood in the river Indus.

At least 640,000 cusec water was discharging from Chashma Barrage at 4pm on Thursday and this much outflow is considered high flood.

In line with the administration's warning, people started moving to safer places along with their livestock and daily-use items.

District Coordination Officer Javed Iqbal said steps had been taken to deal with any emergency situation. He said 650,000 cusec water was expected to pass through the river Indus within the next 36 hours.

He said high schools had been declared relief camps in various areas of the Layyah district.

MULTAN District Coordination Officer Muhammad Khurram Agha said the police force would be used to remove the people settled along the river Chenab if they did not move to safer places voluntarily.

Presiding over a meeting at his office on Thursday, Agha said 200,000 cusec water was expected to pass through the river Chenab. He said relief camps had been set up and Civil Defence officials alerted.

He said army's help could be sought in case of any emergency. He said the people living in riverine areas had been warned against the flood.

The DCO asked the officials to help the displaced people settle in relief camps and told the Water and Sanitation Agency (Wasa) authorities to improve the city's sewerage.

The meeting was told that there was no danger of flood in Multan and adjoining areas.

Water level was falling gradually at Head Marrala and water discharge from Qadirabad Barrage was 220,000 cusecs.

MUZAFFARGARH The district has been put on red alert zone as high floods in the Indus and Chenab are expected to pass through here between July 31 and Aug 2.

This was stated by District Coordination Officer Mahmood Aslam Wazir who said the district government had evacuated 30 villages of 13 mauzas along the Indus. A flood of 600,000 to 700,000 cusecs is likely to cross the Taunsa Barrage.

He said that in the Chenab the flood of 300,000 cusecs would pass through Muzaffargarh district.

The administration, he said, had made arrangements to prevent loss of lives. He said the livestock officials had completed vaccination of animals.

EDO (Health) Dr Khalid Majeed said vaccines of waterborne diseases and anti-venom medication were available at 18 camps set up by the health department. Besides, thirty-eight mobile teams will go from door to door for vaccinations.

The DCO said emergency call numbers were 0669200237 and 0669200239 and asked the officials to be available for public service.

Meanwhile, the DCO has asked the Civil Defence authorities to make available equipment like life-jackets, masks and boats to the Rescue 1122 officials.