DERA GHAZI KHAN: More than a dozen villages have been flooded by the River Indus causing damage to standing crops and displacing locals.

The floodwater inundated Msuza Jhang, Jarrah, Ada Arain, Bodo Minha and Bait Ashraf villages. Rescue teams have set up relief camps for those displaced by the floods. Affected residents are being evacuated through boats as part of the ongoing rescue operations.

Dera Ghazi Khan Deputy Commissioner Usman Khalid told Dawn that the situation in the area was under control. He said that six relief camps had been established to facilitate the flood-effected villagers of the area.

Commissioner Ashfaq Ahmed Chaudhry visited Ghazi Ghat to assess the flood prevention measures. He was accompanied by the DC and Irrigation Chief Engineer Rana Zulfiqar Ali. During the visit, the commissioner inspected the Super Bund and reviewed the ongoing arrangements for flood protection.

Mr Chaudhry said that field teams were mobilised to deal with any emergency situation. He affirmed that all possible measures were being taken to protect against potential flooding.

“In view of the flood threat, residents of low-lying areas are being shifted to safer locations,” said the commissioner, adding that all departments, including the district administration and PDMA, were prepared to deal with any flood situation.

At Taunsa Barrage, a medium-level flood was reported in the River Indus, with an inflow of 413,430 cusecs and an outflow of 398,930 cusecs.

The commissioner also visited J-Head Spur R-2 at Ghazi Ghat and RD-148 Spur at Samina Sadat to monitor the water levels and river conditions. As per the data from the PDMA and the irrigation department, there was no water flow in Kora, Vehova, Singhar, Sori Lound, Wadore, Sakhi Sarwar and Mithawan streams. In Rajanpur, all streams were also dry except for Kaha Sultan, which had a flow of 980 cusecs.

Streams and hill torrents including at Kala Bagh, Khosra, Patok, Chhachhar, Sori Shumali, Sori Junubi, and Zangi were completely dry.

Published in Dawn, July 14th, 2025