GUJAR KHAN: Half a dozen villages of the Sohawa tehsil were inundated as the barrage of Bhaati Dam gave way to spilling water during heavy rains in the area.

According to Engineer Saeed Ahmed District Emergency Officer (DEO), the sudden surge of flood waters spread to the low-lying villages. The Rescue 1122 personnel and divers, already on high alert, spread throughout the affected areas and initiated the rescue operation.

According to the officer, residents, including women and children at risk of drowning, were evacuated using boats and life jackets, while cattle were also transported to safer locations.

According to the Iesco sources, electricity supply lines were also damaged and power supply was completely suspended in the area. Repair operations were to start once the water recedes.

Local sources reveal that some houses caved in due to the flooding while a dairy farm suffered losses as over 50 cattle were washed away in the torrents.

The most affected villages of the Domeli area include Dhoke Padhal, Chak Almas, Barra Garraan, Nogaraan, Chanjlote and Jhang Khokhran.

The residents of Jhelum district have urged the Rawalpindi commissioner to instruct the district administration to take timely surveys of all mini dams in the region to ensure the safe release of stored waters.

They stressed the need for a thorough examination of the strength of the fortifying barrages to avert losses to the lives and properties of residents during the rainy season. The residents lamented that had the administration taken these precautions earlier, the current losses could have been avoided.

Published in Dawn, August 31st, 2024