DADU: Thousands of people migrating to safe areas from three towns and scores of villages in Dadu district to save their lives were on Tuesday seen stranded on the way as floodwater heading towards Khairpur Nathan Shah, Mehar and Johi towns has cut off Indus Highway at many places.

The district administration had sounded an alert on Monday evening warning people of the three towns that deluges triggered by breaches in FP and Suprio protective bunds and MNV (Main Nara Velley) drain might pose a serious threat to their lives. It had advised the people to move to safe places as soon as possible.

The Kolachi Mori section of the highway had come under several feet high water blocking the way for hundreds of trucks, mini-trucks, vans, tractor-driven trolleys, motorcycles and other vehicles carrying marooned families to relief camps of their relatives living in safe areas.

While the land communication between Dadu city and Mehar town had already been cut off, the latter has now disconnected from other towns of the district as well as it has been surrounded by floodwater.

Many vehicles stranded as floodwater cuts off Indus Highway at many places

According to reports received here late Tuesday evening, the deluge had reached two kilometres from Mehar town after inundating farmlands all around it.

Most of the migrants were destined for Dadu, Hyderabad or Karachi.

Focal person for relief and rain emergency at Dadu Fayyaz Butt said hectic efforts were being made to raise a “ring bund” to protect Mehar. He hoped that the efforts would meet success before arrival of the deluge.

It was stated that 80pc of the 200,000 residents of Mehar had vacated the town.

While water gushing out of breached FP bund from Faridabad town flowing directly towards Mehar and reached 10kms away at Bachao bund, deluges from breaches in Suprio bund at Gozo-Khan Jo Goth section were aggravating the situation.

The last protective bund of Khuda Wah, some half kilometre in Khairpur Nathan Shah, is under immense pressure, officials said.

Dadu Deputy Commissioner Syed Murtaza Ali Shah said that Khairpur Nathan Shah faced a major threat of heavy flooding and that was why people were asked to leave the town.

Pakistan Army, Navy and Rangers using boats, helicopters and other means of transport have rescued and moved to safe places over 1,000 people and were continuing their operations in the areas.

The land communication between Dadu and Johi was also cut off by floodwater at Gadehi village.

Many youths were seen arriving at the MVN drain by swimming in floodwater. They urged the rescuers to arrange boats to bring their families maroon in several villages located in the nearby Johi taluka areas.

Published in Dawn, August 31st, 2022