MUZAFFARGARH, June 30: Viewing massive rains, rising water levels in the Chenab River and land erosion along the river bank, the district administration has started measures to cope with any eventuality.

The district administration has set up 17 relief camps at various points and warned the people living in 17 villages to leave their areas immediately.

The land is being eroded at Muradabad, Mauza Jarr, Mathal, Phulanwali and Basti Channar and 2,000 acres have been eroded.

An official of the Irrigation Department said that 2,000 acres had been eroded in the last five months. The erosion has endangered the Rangpur Canal and Khushab-Muzaffargarh Road.

Malik Saeed from Muradabad said the erosion had forced the people to shift to safer places and people from 17 villagers have fled floods leaving their houses and belongings behind. He said the fleeing people had taken shelter in hospitals and schools and were forced to spend life in the open. He said no government officials had come to help them.

Malik Sarfraz Jharr of Muradabad demanded the government declare their area calamity-hit and waive their water-cess, agri-tax and agri loans. He demanded the government build embankment to save their area from floods and erosion.

The district government has warned 17 villages in Mauza Muradabda and Basti Balochan to leave the areas before July 15.

District Coordination Officer Dr Akhtar Nazir Warraich has ordered the district officials concerned to be vigilant to cope with any emergency due to floods in the River Chenab.

He asked Executive District Officer (Revenue) Dr Waseem to start setting up relief camps for those are displaced due to floods.

He asked the Health Department to vaccinate the people and cattle.

He also appealed to non-government organisations to start relief work for the flood victims.