MANSEHRA: The administrations of upper districts of Hazara division have claimed that they have adopted precautionary measures against the possible flooding to prevent damage to public life and property following the release of water by India into the River Sutlej ahead of schedule.

India had opened the outlets of Alchi dam ‘without preschedule’ on Monday causing fears of flooding in the Indus.

“We have shifted the people living on the bank of the Indus and its catchment villages to safer places besides alerting all relevant departments to the possibility of the Indus flooding following the release of water into the River Sutlej by India,” deputy commissioner of Upper Kohistan district Hamidur Rehman told reporters.

A circular issued by the Provincial Disaster Management Authority on Sunday had asked the administrations of Upper Kohistan, Lower Kohistan, Kolai-Palas, Torghar and Mansehra districts to restrict boating, swimming and other activities in catchment areas of the Indus and remain vigilant warning that the opening of the Alehi dam’s outlets without preschedule could cause flooding in the Indus.

It had added that the water discharged by India could reach Tarbela dam in 15-18 hours.

PDMA calls for restriction on Indus boating, swimming

“We, as a gateway to Hazara division, have adopted all necessary precautionary measures against the Indus flooding,” said the deputy commissioner of Upper Kohistan district.

The district administration of Mansehra also said it had alerted all departments to the possibility of floods.

“We have distributed the PDMA circular to all departments, while necessary steps are being taken to meet any situation,” an official of the Mansehra disaster management authority said.

Official of the disaster management authority in Torghar district Safdar Azam Qureshitold reporters that the families living along the Indus or in its catchment areas were asked to move to safe places.

He said boating in the Indus was banned after the PDMA issued a flood warning.

KILLED: Gunmen killed a man and critically injured another over a monetary dispute in Pakhwal area here on Monday.

Mohammad Danial and his cousin Mohammad Shahbaz were attacked after they had heated exchanges with the gunmen.

The gunfire killed Mohammad Dania on the way to the King Abdullah Teaching Hospital, while the doctors referred Mohammad Shahbaz to the Ayub Medical Complex, Abbottabad, due to critical condition.

The police registered an FIR against fleeing gunmen and began search for them.

AGREED: The district bar association, traders and other stakeholders on Monday agreed to seek one-month time from the Peshawar High Court to find an amicable settlement of the Katain-da-Galla toll issue.

The agreement came in a meeting chaired by the commissioner of Hazara division.

Published in Dawn, August 20th, 2019