PESHAWAR, June 23: Army troops launched an operation on Thursday to evacuate hundreds of families marooned in flood-affected villages in the outskirts of Peshawar and Nowshera.

The small town of Nowshera Kalan, about 40 kilometres east of Peshawar, is the worst affected and its five main streets are under water.

Officials in the NWFP Irrigation Department said that the river Kabul was in high flood and its total discharge at Nowshera was 117,200 cusecs at 7pm on Thursday. The discharge from the Warsak dam was recorded at 79,710 cusecs at 3.30pm.

The officials said that the water flow in the Swat river at Munda had suddenly increased from 27,000 to 32,000 cusecs at 7pm, but its flow at Shahalam had decreased.

There was no report about any loss of life from any of the three affected districts. But damage to standing crops and residential areas has been widespread.

The Inter Services Public Relations said on Thursday that the troops had rescued 500 families from Landi Dawoodzai, Tapu Koroona and Angor Koroona on the outskirts of Peshawar.

An official of the ISPR said that two companies comprising elements of infantry, engineers and medical corps had been mobilised to carry out rescue and relief work. He said that more troops were on standby and would be dispatched to the flood-hit areas of Peshawar and Nowshera if needed.

About 250 soldiers and officers took part in the day-long rescue operation.

A revenue officer of Nowshera told Dawn on phone that the flood-water had played havoc in Mohib Banda and Garhi Momin areas and destroyed the standing crop over 1,200 kanals.

Officials said that small camp of Afghan refugees in Garhi area of Peshawar had been inundated and its inhabitants were leaving their homes.

Officials said that the situation in Charsadda was under control but the authorities were making arrangements to meet any eventuality.