- Army blows up Head Mohammad Wala to divert floodwater from Akber embankment
- PM directs officials to accelerate relief efforts and present national disaster management plan at next session
Army personnel on Friday blew off the Head Mohammad Wala Road to divert the incoming flow of water from Akber flood embankment in order to save Multan city from flood devastation, saving one half of the town.
According to experts, half of Multan had been saved with the diversion of water from the Akbar flood embankment but more measures were under way to secure the remaining part of Multan.
The water is currently en route towards the Muzaffargarh district as the Shershah flood embankment was also breached to reduce the water level.
Muzaffargarh district is being evacuated with assistance from Pakistan Army — the process began three days ago and is expected to conclude by Saturday. Evacuation of the district began after the Punjab environment secretary had alerted the government that 0.7 million cusecs of floodwater was likely to pass through the district.
According to authorities, the unprecedented flow is likely to drift towards Head Panjnad passing through Jalalpur and finally crossing into River Sindh. Near head Panjnad, the surrounding region consisting of Alipur, Uch Sharif and Mithankot would be inundated by heavy flows of water. Moreover the rest of the adjoining areas including Rajanpur, Khanpur, Rahimyar Khan and Sadiqabad would also be at the risk of being engulfed by the gushing flash floods.
Thereafter, the flood waters are expected to reach Gudu Barrage. While the upsurge sprees through Punjab, areas of Sindh including Mathelu, Gotki, Jacobabad, Panu Akil are also likely to be stormed by the high flood. Moreover, the floodwaters may also hit some areas of Larkana and Khairpur. From Khairpur, the heavy flow will pass through Mohenjo-daro, Nowshero Feroz, Dadu, Moro, Sehvan Sharif, Jamshoro, Nawabshah and Hyderabad and reach the Kotri Barrage from where it will fall into the Arabian Sea.
Analysts have said this year’s floods so far do not appear to be on the same scale, but thousands of people are still facing life in relief camps until the waters recede.
The Pakistan Army, which often plays a leading role in disaster relief, said seven of its helicopters were engaged in rescue work around Multan and Jhang, upriver. Troops have dropped more than 50 tonnes of rations around Punjab, the military said in a statement, and mobile medical teams are treating those affected by the floods.
Water position at Trimmu decreases
The Pakistan Meteorological Department said water level at Trimmu was reducing and currently 438,000 cusecs water was passing from there.
Moreover, Chief Meteorologist Muhammad Riaz said a flood wave of 600,000 to 700,000 cusecs will pass through Panjnad in the next 24 hours, adding that current water level at Panjand stood at 79,000 cusecs.
He said the passage of water from Panjnad was likely to inundate several areas including Rahim Yar Khan, Multan and Muzaffargarh.
To a question, Riaz said Punjab Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif had formed a competent committee to take decisions on the breaching of dykes without any chances of political intervention.
About rain forecast, the chief meteorologist said Multan, Gujranwala and Lahore were likely to receive scattered rains in the next 24 hours. He, however, said these rains would not be widespread and won’t hamper the ongoing rescue efforts.
CABINET MEETS ON FLOODS:
During a session of the federal cabinet on Friday, Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif directed officials to accelerate relief efforts and present a national disaster management plan in relation to floods at the next session.
He added that Pakistan would not approach any country to provide aid and thanked India for its offer of financial assistance in relief and rehabilitation of the flood affected.
At the session, National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) Chairman Major General Saeed Aleem briefed the cabinet on the current situation resulting from the heavy rains and floods and updated the ministers on relief operations.
Aleem said the flow of floods was Multan-bound and the intensity of flood in River Chenab was greater than what it was in 1992. He said 10 districts of Punjab were affected and the worst damage was caused to the Jhang, Chiniot and Hafizabad districts.
The NDMA chairman added that 264 people had been killed, some 43,000 houses were destroyed and 3,000 villages and nearly 1100,000 people had been badly impacted by the floods.
The cabinet was informed that for the purpose of rehabilitation and relief, an initial impact assessment is being carried out. Moreover, the armed forces’ have also been mobilised to help out the stranded and calamity-hit population.
The prime minister said the process should be accelerated to be realised within weeks not months adding that the government would spend billions for rehabilitation of the flood-affected population.
The premier gave directions that elected representatives should form flood committees and visit their respective constituencies which are affected by floods and contribute effectively to relief work.
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