950803

Floods play havoc

with standing

crops

KHALID ABBAS SAIF

FAISALABAD: As many as 440 villages and rural localities were badly affected by the flood water of Chenab and Jhelum rivers and over 2,74,000 acres of land inundated, damaging standing crops particularly cotton worth millions of rupees. Gushing flood water from bridge at Chund Bharwana has caused big branches in the bund protecting Shahjewana and adjoining areas including Alipur Jhang protective bund. Negligence towards its repair for the last 10 years has caused many branches which poses threat to nearby villages. However, the local people are working to fill these breaches on the self-help basis to defend the flood water. According to local administration, relief work is in progress for the flood victims. Jhang has been divided into 22 sectors. Four relief camps have been set-up in each sector where food and necessary medicines were being provided to the victims. The cattle and other animals were also being given vaccine. Evacuation of the people from flood affected areas is still continued. The local administration officials told that a survey for the assessment of the damage to the crops and houses is in progress. The preliminary survey shows that about 2000 houses have been totally damaged by the flood water of the both the rivers.

According to our correspondent Hafeez Shaikh in Hyderabad, the water level of mighty Indus River at Kotri Barrage has further increased to 18065 cusecs at upstream and 10004 at downstream during the last 24 hours. The flood liaison officer Mir Ghulam Ali Talpur said that the total discharge of water at Kotri Barrage at 6 p.m. on Thursday was recorded at 452745 cusecs upstream and 429963 downstream.

At Sukkur Barrage, the total discharge of water was recorded at 953240 cusecs upstream and 912885 cusecs downstream.

The total increase at upstream and downstream was recorded at 22720 cusecs and 19250 cusecs respectively.

At Guddu Barrage, a nominal increase of 13074 cusecs and 12812 cusecs was recorded at upstream and downstream respectively. The total discharge at upstream was recorded at 988665 cusecs upstream and 970277 cusecs downstream. The water gauge at Dadu Moro Bridge was recorded at 128.8 percent at 6 a.m.

CRUCIAL HOURS

MULTAN: The Deputy Commissioner Multan Sajjad Saleem Hotiana has expressed concern over the flood situation in River Chenab as the peak would be passing near Shujaabad during the next 24 hours. At a press briefing the DC said the flood situation in River Chenab is under control as the water level near Shershah Bridge is falling.

24-HOUR VIGIL

The army continues to maintain a round-the-clock vigil through aviation elements and mobile ground checks throughout the flood-affected areas of Multan and D G Khan divisions. Troops are busy in strengthening the protective bunds, and in rescuing people marooned all along the Chenab and Ravi rivers. The situation is being monitored closely by senior army officers and civil authorities are being extended necessary cooperation.

ALIMULLAH-WATTOO

MEETING

LAHORE: The Deputy Chairman, Planning Commission, Qazi M Alimullah called on the Chief Minister Punjab, Mian Manzoor Ahmed Wattoo and assured him the full support of the Federal Government in combating floods and undertaking rehabilitation works to offset the damages.

BRIDGE CLOSED

HYDERABAD: The Executive Engineer Kotri Barrage, Jamshoro has informed that all kind of traffic through Kotri Barrage Road Bridge Jamshoro will remain closed on August 5 from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. in connection with rehabilitation project contract on bridge gates.

SNAKE BITING

NAWABSHAH: Due to heavy rains and floods the cases of snake bite are on increase but the essential life savings drugs and anti-venum serum are not available in any of the three Taluka headquarter hospitals in district Nawabshah. The snake bite vaccine is also not available at people's medical college and hospital which is one of the leading medical institution of Sindh province.-APP/PPI