Despite the fact that monsoon showers are far less intense than they were in July, River Sutlej still remains flooded on account of water released by India, reported 24NewsHD TV channel on Wednesday. 

Dozens of localities and crops grown over hundreds of acres of land were inundated after River Sutlej burst its banks at Burewala.

Road links between different villages and towns such as Jaudhika, Jamlera, Sahuka, Murad Ali, Bhattian and Basti Janga Joeya lie severed as a result of deluge.

On the other hand, rescue operation in these areas is underway.

Homes, crops, roads washed away by River Sutlej at Arifwala

River Sutlej, which continues to be in high flood at Arifwala, has wreaked havoc as it has washed away people’s homes, crops and even roads.

The administration, on the other hand, has set up relief camps at three places to accommodate those displaced by floods. 

Floodwater forces people from their homes at Mailsi

Meanwhile, 90 per cent of people living on the banks of River Sutlej at Mailsi have left their homes as 42,900 cusecs of water is passing through the river at Head Syphon.

The remaining 10 per cent, on the other hand, are still adamant they will not leave their homes.

AC Mailsi Tariq Mehmood and DSP Mailsi Saadat Ali have reached surrounding areas of the river and have urged the people to move to safe places. 

Speaking on the occasion, the AC has said that some of the people are still resisting leaving their homes. “Teams of police, Pakistan Rangers and Rescue 1122 are assisting us in the evacuation of people from their homes,” he has added.

Rescue efforts continue in Kasur

Right now over 122,000 cusecs of water is passing through River Sutlej at Talwar Post.

Commissioner Lahore Muhammad Ali Randhawa has told media that relief and rescue efforts are underway at Kothi Fateh Muhammad, Bakarke, Atar Singhwala, Tatara Kamal, Talwar Post, Ganda Singh and other areas.

He has further said that medicines for the victims of snake bite, rabies and skin diseases are available at the medical camps set up in these areas. “As many as 912 people from Kothi Fateh Muhammad have been shifted to safe places during the last 24 hours,” he has said, adding, “So far, 29, 854 people have been evacuated from their homes.”

Similarly, he has informed, 19,500 cattle have also been shifted to safe places. 

Commissioner Randhawa has further said that so far 7,531 people have been treated at medical camps. “Eight police checkposts have been set up for the safety of 15 villages which had been evacuated after the imposition of section 144,” he has informed.

Considerable increase in water level at Chishtian

After the release of more water by India into River Sutlej in recent days, marked increase in the water level has been noticed in the river at Head Sulemanki and Chishtian near Bahawalnagar as 50, 000 cusecs of water is presently passing through the river in these areas.

Residents of these areas, on the other hand, have been left on their own to take steps to reduce the water flow by breaking embankments.

They have complained that nobody from the administration has come to their rescue so far, and that their homes and cattle are now all at the mercy of raging river, which may burst its banks at any time.   

Reporters: Shahzad Ahmad, Zahid Hussain Hashmi, Abdus Sammad Chaudhry, Kashif Chaudhry, Bassam Sultan