BAHAWALPUR, July 8: The recent reports of 18 casualties for want of drinking water in extremely hot Cholistan areas adjacent to Rahim Yar Khan have been confirmed officially.

Cholistan Development Authority’s Managing Director Brig. Muhammed Ahsan Tiwana (retired) at a press conference here on Saturday said 12 bodies had been recovered and identified so far.

The dead include Iqbal, a resident of Tokanwala Toba, Mengal (Kandaira Toba), Risham (Mureadwali), Jamal (Chah Bhai Khanwala), Karim Baksh (Nawanwala Toba), Karimullah Sheikh (village 225/1-L, Bijnot), Noor, Doda (Chah Bhai Khanwala), Karima (Chah Bhai Khanwala ), Raees and Allah Yar.

Mr Tiwana said the CDA field staff was busy searching for other bodies numbering five or six, and added that the tragedy occurred due to continued hot spell in Cholistan.

He said on receipt of information, the staff was rushed to the affected areas. A team of doctors along with paramedics and emergency medicines were also dispatched to the area. He said help of army helicopters had also been sought to reach the affected people.

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