NAROWAL: Dozens of roads, bridges, and a section of railway track were swept away by the river Ravi’s thrust of 250,000 cusecs in Narowal.

Flood entered villages, breaking an embankment. People were sitting on the roofs of their houses, waiting for rescue teams.

Flood larger than the Ravi discharge capacity of 150,000 cssecs, caused severe destruction to infrastructure and property. Stormwater drains Bayan, Dek and Basanter added to the misery.

The swollen river broke its bank near the villages of Beko Chak and Jasar, damaging a small dam. More than 145 villages were submerged while three to four feet water entered homes.

Connection roads linking Narowal-Shakargarh, Shakargarh-Zafarwal, Narowal-Pasrur, Zafarwal-Sialkot, Darman Road, Hanjaliwala Bridge, Darman Bridge, Fatehpur Afghan Bridge and some other bridges were damaged, leading to suspension of transportation.

Rescue 1122 staff continued rescue operations. Citizens trapped in water kept calling Rescue 1122 for help.

Nasir and Aftab Ahmed said that they have been calling Rescue 1122 for help for five hours. They said that they received a response from the rescue control room that all personnel were busy with the rescue operation.

The district administration set up 38 flood relief camps in Narowal district. A special relief camp has been set up at the University of Narowal. The camps have been provided with food, medicine, accommodation and animal treatment facilities to the victims.

According to the Irrigation Department, the track on the Narowal-Sialkot railway section has been washed away by swollen Nullah Dek. The track has been severely damaged between Ahmedabad and Pasrur railway stations, suspending train traffic.

District Emergency Officer Engineer Muhammad Aurangzeb told Dawn that more than 43 rescue operations have been carried out. He said dozens of Rangers personnel and 1,390 of civilians, including children and women, were shifted to safe places.

Narowal Deputy Commissioner Syed Hassan Raza told Dawn that food, accommodation, medicines, veterinary medicines and fodder had been provided. He said all teams of the district administration were responding swiftly.

Federal Minister for Planning and Development Ahsan Iqbal visited the flood-affected areas.

Published in Dawn, August 28th, 2025