Sunday 18 August 2013

Chenab flash flood wreaks havoc, Jhang several villages inundated


LAHORE: Water level at Head Tarimo in Chenab river continuously increasing, as water flow overnight surged by three thousand cusecs submerging several villages of district Jhang, reported Sunday morning. River Chenab’s flash flood passing through Chinot has started reaching Tarimo Headworks, where presently low flood recoded. Jhang-Sargodha Road near Pakaywala has been closed for traffic due to flooding water, while rescue operation continued overnight for taking out over 50 persons trapped in the flooded village Lohaywala. At least 50 villages of Chinot have been cut off with the urban areas due to onrush of flood, while the standing crops in Shorkot suburban areas have been severely damaged by flash flood. Nine villages near Multan also were inundated as water lever in river Chenab mounted. Pak Army contingents, Rescue 1122 and Civil Defence volunteers are busy in relief and rescue works in the flood-affected areas. On the other hand, thousands of acres of cultivated land in 72 villages of Hafizabad and Qadirabad have been badly hit by Chenab river flash flood. Even on the fourth day Sialkot remains flooded by overflowing Nullah Aik water, while several villages of Narowal and Pusroor remained marooned by Nullah Dek overflowed water. Although by now thousands of people have been severely hit by flash floods, but the government still remains apathetic to this woeful situation, as no relief measure thus far was seen taken. Eleven villages have also submerged as water level at Taunsa in river Indus went up. In Rajanpur, four union councils were inundated by overflowing Nullah Kaha and Chachar, while due to river Indus changing course near Jampur, water gushing into nearby villages.