SAHIWAL: A low level flood in the River Sutlej may inundate 71 villages in Pakpattan. Earlier, standing crops on thousands of acres came under flooding in the last couple of days.

Deputy Commissioner Ahmed Kamal Mann told Dawn on Saturday that Rescue 1122, health department and Pakistan Army personnel started an evacuation operation.

Seven flood camps have been set up in different localities such as public schools and rural health centres. Many residents were seen erecting embankment to save their crops. It is learnt more than 70 residents from villages along the River Sutlej have been evacuated with their belongings and shifted to safer places.

Sources in district administration said 66,000 cusec water was flowing downstream at the Head Sulemanki in the River Sutlej. The flow will decrease within a day, Arifwala Assistant Commissioner Syed Asif told Dawn.

The local administration and police have issued warning to people that they keep away from the river.

The police told Dawn they evacuated villagers from 50 locations to safer places. Villages Balara Dilwara, Balara Hasanka and Dhari Wala Kho are under heavy flooding while rescuers have evacuated people and cattle heads in rescue boats.

It is learnt because of increase in the floodwater, land erosion has also increased on either side of the Baba Farid Bridge on the river.

Published in Dawn, August 25th, 2019