MULTAN, Sept 9: Spate in Chenab flooded more areas along the river banks falling in Multan and Muzaffargarh districts, with Shershah facing the brunt Official sources recorded maximum flow of 250,000 cusecs at 11 am near SherShah, in Multan district.

According to Iftikhar Ahmed Bhutta, Irrigation chief engineer, Multan, it may take another 36 hours for the water level to recede.

More than 180 villages and mauzas of Multan district and 137 that of Muzaffargarh district have faced inundation.

Hameedullah Khan, district officer revenue, Multan, said that 137 villages and mauzas in the district were the worst affected while damage to property and standing crops was also widespread. He said evacuation of the marooned was still on.

Reports from the affected areas suggested shortage of motorboats, life jackets and other necessary equipment for the rescue operation.

Rescue teams were yet to reach some of the heavily inundated areas.

Multan EDO health Dr Fazal Mehmood Khan said that about 32 mobile teams and 16 emergency camps had been formed to treat the affected people.

CROPS: Floodwater has either washed away or affected crops of vegetables, cotton, millet, and maize grown over a vast area in the two districts, causing huge losses to farmers. Similarly, a large area under mango orchards has also been hit.

Kunwar Muhammad Saddiq, media coordinator of the Kisan Board, Punjab, blamed the government for being “insensitive” towards the people’s plight.

Muzaffargarh DCO Tariq Najeeb Najmi said that there was no threat to Alipur and Saitpur towns and all protective bunds along the Chenab were intact.

He said flow of water was dropping in the district. The maximum thrust recorded in district was 145,000 cusecs at 3 pm on Saturday.

He said that 137 small villages of riverine area had been submerged.