MUZAFFARGARH: The district administration on Saturday evacuated three villages — Basti Chandia, Khulangwala, and Leshariwala — as an alarming situation occurred in the Indus and fast flow of water swept away 600 feet of 34 RD super dam.

A medium flood continues on the Indus River, threatening to submerge low-lying settlements.

Kot Addu Deputy Commissioner Syed Munwar Abbas Bukhari has confirmed that residents of the affected villages have been safely evacuated to secure locations. The three settlements included 280 houses under construction, and as many as 1,700 people have been relocated.

The district administration, along with the irrigation chief officer, has been working for the last 24 hours to protect the area. Heavy machinery has been deployed to reinforce the breached dam, and large stones are being placed on the river embankment to redirect the erosion.

The DC said severe erosion started between lines 5 and 6 of the J-Head Spur RD 34+000 (Spur Nose), leading to a 600-foot breach despite 18 hours of continuous efforts to fortify the area. The water flow is now redirecting back to the main river after passing through the bisected portion.

He said relief camps have been set up at Government School Rahmwala, where the flood victims’ animals and belongings have been moved.

He said he had cancelled the leaves of revenue, health and livestock officials including municipal committee and ordered to reach at the spot. All the officers of the irrigation department along with the district administration were using all the resources to save the populated areas.

Meanwhile, residents of the affected areas have expressed concerns about their livestock still stranded in the river. They have appealed to Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz to visit Kot Addu and Taunsa Barrage, where contractors allegedly failed to complete crucial work.

Published in Dawn, August 11th, 2024