KARAK: An artificial lake has been formed in Kandokhel area of Karak district, posing threat to local population.

Locals told reporters here on Friday that owing to landslide an artificial lake had been created on the Sarki Lawagher natural watercourse, which is a tributary to the Lawagher dam.

They said the people living in the surroundings of artificial lake had already shifted to safe places, and warned that as the water level in the lake was increasing due to monsoon rains it could flood the low-lying areas of Kandokhel.

People of low-lying areas fear floods

The local people demanded of the authorities to immediately put in place a spillway to release the water being accumulated in the lake to reduce the threat of flooding. They said that the Lawagher dam was already full to its capacity and if the artificial lake was burst it could play havoc in the area.

ARRESTED: The police on Friday arrested four senior office-bearers of two local rights bodies for organising a protest against low gas pressure in the district on Feb 11 this year.

Police said senior vice-president of Chountra Welfare Organisation Mir Ajab Khan, secretary information Muneerur Rehman and chairman of Karak Qaumi Tehreek Usman Khattak and vice chairman Qudratullah had been arrested for leading a protest demonstration against low gas pressure early this year.

Police had already registered FIRs against them and were awaiting suitable time for their arrest.

GAS SUPPLY SUSPENDED: Gas supply has remained suspended in most parts of the district for last one week after the rainwater entered the supply lines.

The people of Takht-i-Nusrati, Mithakhel, Isak Chountra, Ghundi Mir Khankhel, Biland Kalay, Talabkhel, Zebi, and many other localities said the Sui Northern Gas Pipelines Limited had failed to suck water from the gas lines, forcing people to do so on their own.

They said water entered into the gas lines at places wherefrom people had taken connections which, they said, was in the notice of the company, but it did not take the corrective measures.

Published in Dawn, August 4th, 2018