MIANWALI: Recent floods have wreaked havoc across several areas in Mianwali district, affecting mauzas in the district.

According to the district revenue department, the hardest-hit mauzas in Mianwali tehsil include Qureshian, Khan Mohammadwala, Rokhri Kacha, Tari Khel Kacha, Madat Wala, Muhammad Sharifwali, Fateh Khanwala and Rustam Khanwala.

In Isakhel tehsil, the flood-ravaged areas include Swamandwala, Qamar Mushani Kacha, Jantiwala, Tannikhel, Tarag Sharqi and Darazwala.

In Piplan tehsil, the mauzas of Kundian Kacha, Piplan Kacha and Kacha Gujrat have suffered damage.

The district administration, after flood warnings, established a main flood control office at the DC office in Mianwali to monitor the rising water levels at Jinnah and Chashma barrages around the clock, in addition to keeping an eye on the hill torrents.

Rescue camps, along with those set up by the health, veterinary, and irrigation departments, were established to assist and rescue flood-affected people. Several stranded families in various mauzas were successfully rescued.

Deputy Commissioner Khalid Javed Gorayia monitored the situation continuously, frequently visiting the flood-affected areas. The administration distributed tents, food hampers and mosquito nets.

Many residents have demanded that the government declare the district calamity-stricken so they could receive government assistance for survival.

As of the latest reports, the flood control centre informed Dawn that the water level at Jinnah and Chashma barrages over the river Indus has been gradually decreasing day by day.

Torrential rains over the surrounding mountains, particularly in Mianwali and Isakhel tehsils, often cause hill torrents. These torrents devastate standing crops in their path, destroy mud houses and result in the loss of livestock. The flood situation worsens as the water level rises in the mighty Indus, causing extensive damage to the heavily populated katcha areas on both banks.

Every year, the government spends millions on repair of spurs to protect localities from flood effects. However, these spurs often fail to withstand the first onslaught of gushing water. There is no established mechanism for holding engineers accountable for building substandard spurs, resulting in significant losses to the national exchequer.

It is the duty of the Provincial Disaster Management Authority to maintain vigilance over these areas and strengthen the spurs along the routes of hill torrents during the off-flood season to prevent significant losses. Unfortunately, they often wake up to the threat only during the flood season, when they are largely powerless to prevent the damage.

Published in Dawn, September 1st, 2024