Raging waters show no mercy

• 17 drown as boat capsizes in Multan deluge, another 18 rescued as Army naib subedar drowns during rescue operation near Shershah embankment
• Flood heads towards Panjnad after wreaking havoc in Multan, 200,000 people shifted
• Death toll from floods across country crosses 300
• Pak Army, Pak Navy continue rescue operations in Jhang, Muzaffargarh, Multan
• NDMA starts Multi Initial Rapid Assessment for flood-affected districts in collaboration with UN

At least 17 people, including a bridegroom drowned while 18 others were rescued as a boat capsized Sunday in the flood-hit area near Shershah dyke. The floodwaters, in the meanwhile, have started to move south towards Panjnad as the death toll from floods in the country crossed the 300 mark.

Senior police officer Mian Tanvir said that an army rescue boat carrying over 30 people capsized when it hit debris from a dyke that had been blown up earlier in the day to divert waters away from Muzaffargarh city.

“Divers are searching for any survivors,” Tanvir said, adding that 18 passengers had been rescued.

“There were many of us in the boat when the water started seeping in, eventually overturning the boat,” Mishal Rabia, a bride aboard the boat, said.

An army naib subedar also drowned while helping in rescue efforts, said a Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) statement released later in the day.

According to the statement, Pakistan Navy divers were also involved in the rescue operation beside army personnel.

Separately, three people drowned in the area overnight, senior rescue official Ali Imam Syed said. The deaths, combined with those from the boat tragedy, brought the overall death toll from flooding in Pakistan to 301, he added.

Torrential rains causing huge floods have disrupted normal life in the villages of Punjab and Azad Kashmir.

Punjab Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif has expressed grief over the loss of lives and directed the authorities concerned to expedite the relief operation.

President Mamnoon Hussain, Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif, Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Chairman Imran Khan, Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM) Chairman Altaf Hussain, leaders of political, religious parties and civil society have expressed deep grief over the sad incident.

CHENAB IN HIGH FLOOD AT PANJNAD:

In the meanwhile, after wreaking havoc in Multan, flood waters are moving towards Panjnad where the water level was recorded to be 375,000 cusecs on Sunday afternoon.

The heavy water flow moving towards Panjnad headworks after passing through Trimmu at River Chenab is likely to inundate areas surrounding Panjnad, from where 200,000 people have already been shifted to safe localities to avert losses.

According to Flood Forecasting Centre Lahore, at present, the water level at Panjnad is consistent but is likely to increase.

River Chenab is in low-flood at Trimmu with water inflow and outflow of 197,762 cusecs. Nullah Palku is in medium-flood where water level is 4,875 cusecs.

River Ravi is in high-flood at Sidhnai headworks where inflow of water is 79,693 cusecs and outflow is 64,843 cusecs.

The flood warning centre says flood peak of 600,000 to 700,000 cusecs will reach Guddu Barrage from between Monday and Wednesday.

DOABA DYKE BREACHED TO SAVE MUZAFFARGARH:

Separately, in Muzaffargarh, a spur has been breached by floodwaters near Thatha Sialan and floodwater has made its way to TaliriCanal and is spreading in the surrounding areas of Muradabad and Thatha Sialan.

Muzaffargarh DCO Shaukat Ali declared emergency in Taliri area of the city and directed the residents to move to safe locations.

Talking to journalists on Sunday, the DCO said that there was no threat from floods to Muzaffargarh city and that Doaba dyke had been breached to save the area. He said that all possible steps were taken to save Thatha Sialan and Muradabad dyke but high flood pressure broke the dykes.

PAK ARMY, NAVY CONTINUE RESCUE OPERATION:

Coming to the rescue, Pakistan Army has shifted 3,000 marooned people in flood-hit areas of Multan and Muzaffargarh to safe places.

According to an ISPR release, Multan Corps Commander Lt Gen Abid Pervaiz is visiting the flood-hit areas on daily basis.

Five helicopters of Pakistan Army are also providing eatables to stranded people. So far, 15,000 kilogrammes of rations has been provided to the flood victims.

Similarly, Pakistan Army has also set up medical camps in Multan and Muzaffargarh to provide medical treatment to patients in flood-hit areas.

Meanwhile, Pakistan Navy’s flood relief activities are continuing along with the rescue operation in flood-hit areas of Jhang, Muzaffargarh and Multan.

Pakistan Navy has also handed over 10 tonnes of rations for flood victims to Minister for Special Education and In-charge Minister for Flood Relief in Chiniot District Saeed Manais.

On Sunday, the Navy rescued 30 personnel and recovered 17 dead bodies when a boat capsized near Shershah.

Pakistan Navy rescue team, operating at another distant location, assessed the seriousness of the situation and employed its assets comprising Zulu boats, Alouette helicopters and specialised divers to save the precious lives besides recovering the dead after a six-hour long search operation.

So far, thousands of stranded people have been rescued from flood-affected areas by Pakistan Navy rescue teams and have been shifted to safe places. Besides, Pakistan Navy’s medical team is busy providing medical care to the flood victims and more than 3,000 people have so far been provided medical aid.

NDMA BEGINS ASSESSMENT OF FLOOD DAMAGES:

The National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) has initiated work on Multi Initial Rapid Assessment for flood-affected districts in collaboration with the United Nations (UN) System.

According to an NDMA statement, the assessment would be carried out in most of affected districts including Mandi Bahauddin, Hafizabad, Chiniot, Jhang and Multan as identified by the Punjab Disaster Management Authority.

The main purpose of the assessment is to identify damages to the community infrastructure and asses the recovery needs and restoration requirements.

NDMA would coordinate with PDMA in carrying out this assessment. The assessment report will be finalised jointly by NDMA and UN Office for Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs.

In wake of the current situation, NDMA has deployed teams in the flood-affected areas along Rivers Chenab and Jhelum and NDMA Member Operations Brigadier Ishtiaq Ahmad is currently stationed at Panjnad headworks for assessment of on ground flood situation.