THIS refers to the report (May 19) about the inundation of some 40 villages by the river Jhelum at this most unexpected time is incomplete and does not probe its causes.

It only mentions villages of the Jhang district. The river flows through Khushab before entering Jhang. The situation from Shergarh to Jhang is equally precarious. It is not only fodder, but also the wheat crops in the kachcha areas that have suffered.

The reason for this calamity is the release of water from Mangla in unusually large quantities. Compounding that is an additional 40,000 cusecs poured in by the CJ Link at Shergarh. It’s time someone paid an aerial visit and observed the plight of the farmers there.

Most surprising is the fact that there seems to be no planning for releasing a large quantity of water, keeping in view its impact on areas along the river.

Malik Mubashir A. Majoka

Lahore

Published in Dawn, May 28th, 2015

On a mobile phone? Get the Dawn Mobile App: Apple Store | Google Play