LAYYAH, Aug 4 The flood level receded in the Indus on Wednesday from 700,000 cusecs to 350,000 after wrecking havoc in 1,200 square kilomteres of the riverside in the past four days, officials said.

The flooding left more than 400,000 residents of 76 villages displaced. The local administration has made 18 relief camps which could only accommodate 11,000 people leaving others to spend their fourth night in the open. Torrential rain multiplied their miseries.

Dawn visited camps established in Model School, Islamiya School and MC High School and saw the camp officials had refused to register victims.

The police have established check posts at six points after complaints that thieves had stolen valuables from the houses submerged in flooding. Six motorboats have already been given to the police to protect life and property in the areas.

DCO Javaid Iqbal has been conspicuous by his absence in rescue operations after flood victims had manhandled him at Kukarwala spur on Tuesday.

Death toll rose to 13 when 40-year-old Zawar Ashiq Husain died in a roof-collapse incident in Basti Luthar.

JHANG The district administration rescued 500 families living along riversides of the Chenab and Jhelum areas and stepped up relief activities, said District Coordination Officer Muhammad Shahid Niaz during a visit to flooded areas in Massan, Qadirpur and 18-Hazari.—Dawn Report