SARGODHA: Low-lying villages were badly affected even by a medium-level flood in rivers Chenab and Jhelum and standing crops on considerable fields were inundated with flood water because of the failure of the district administration and the irrigation department to take precautionary measures.

All this happened despite issuance of a warning by the Provincial Disaster Management Authority (PDMA) to 11 cities of the province, including Sargodha, that high flood was expected at rivers Chenab and Jhelum.

At least 200 villages lying along the bank of the Chenab have been badly affected during the last couple of days and the people have to shift to safer places on a self-help basis.

PEF MD Chaudhry Tariq Mahmood along with local public representatives and officials of the district administration visited villages along the River Chenab to review flood arrangements in the district on the direction of the chief minister.

He dispatched a message to the chief minister: “We are here for the protection of life and property of the people.”

Mr Mehmood gave a comprehensive briefing on pre-flood and post-flood scenario.

He discussed various points, including flood fighting preparedness, rescue, relief and rehabilitation operations, identification and enlistment of flood prone areas, surveys of households, crops and livestock and extensive visits of officers in flood-prone areas.

He said the chief minister stressed the need for the availability of medicines, vaccines and anti-venom doses in hospitals and establishment of medical camps and health mobile teams in flood-hit areas.

MNA Mohsin Shahnawaz Ranjha and Mian Manazir Ali Ranjha said that recue camps should be established for flood victims.

They said that local philanthropists and the media persons should also be taken on board.

They said a Whatsapp group should also be created by including administration officers, district government departments, elected representatives and UC members to keep updated in the flood season.

Sargodha DCO Danish Afzaal informed the public representatives about the availability of flood fighting resources, preparedness of tehsil administration, steps taken by district and tehsil administrations in flood hit-areas and liaison among different departments.

Meanwhile, the early morning downpour converted low-lying areas in pools and even TMA offices and the main University Road were inundated with the rainwater.

SIALKOT: The Nullah Bhed ravaged urban areas of Sialkot on Wednesday as torrential rains swallowed its banks.

District Coordination Officer (DCO) Dr Asif Tufail said the nullah with 2,679 cusec was in high flood, while its capacity was 1,700 cusec.

The flooding submerged the Sialkot Railway Station, district jail, police lines, the offices of the DCO and the district police officer, post office, Khawaja Safdar Road, Paris Road, Khadim Ali Road, Kashmir Road, Defence Road, Abbott Road, Commissioner Road, Capital Road and Sialkot-Marala Road. The similar situation was seen in Pasrur, Daska and Sambrial cities where all roads were in knee-deep water.

The DCO said that it rained 99 mm in the Sialkot city on Wednesday and municipality officials were busy draining the water.

The situation reinforced the need to improve sanitation and sewerage network.

Published in Dawn, August 11th, 2016