DADU: Fifteen people were saved from drowning after they jumped into floodwaters from a boat that caught fire near Johi town of Dadu district on Tuesday.

The boat was transporting the people from flood-hit Johi to Dadu city. While passing by the degree college point, the boat caught fire and the panicked people on board jumped into the floodwaters. The crew of another boat present nearby moved into action upon seeing flames and hearing a hue and cry. They rushed to the spot and picked up all 15 drowning people.

Johi Assistant Commissioner Mohammad Ali Baloch said that the fire had started from the boat’s power generator and the flames swiftly engulfed the entire ferry.

Dadu Deputy Commissioner Syed Murtaza Ali Shah said that none of the rescued people had sustained any harm. All of them were safely transported to Dadu city, he added.

Johi town has been surrounded by deep waters for 20 days and a large number of people are still trapped in their houses. Boats are shuttling between Johi and different dry places to ferry marooned people.

Meanwhile, work on strengthening the ring bund around the town is continuing at an accelerated pace.

Published in Dawn, September 14th, 2022