After experiencing torrential rains, Sindh is being pummeled by floods as the gushing waters are devouring large swathes of province, reported 24NewsHD TV channel on Saturday.
Floods have wreaked havoc everywhere in the province. There is high flood in Kotri Barrage. The water level is rising and 5,000 cusecs water was passing through the barrage today.
The entire area of Khairpur Nathan Shah of Dadu district has been turned into a river where the accumulated floodwater is as high as 12 feet.
The condition has worsened in Qamar Shahdad Kot too.
A 50-foot breach was occurred in the Chappar Khan Gadhi nullah.
The situation is also critical at RD 62 Bobak Dyke on Manchhar Lake. The overflowing water has started falling into Danstar Canal. It is feared that the sluice gates of canal might break as soon as the water pressure increases. People of the area are panicky seeing the situation.
Deputy Commissioner Jamshoro said that precautionary measures were being taken owing to rapid surge in the water level of Manchhar Lake. “Population settlements could be evacuated in case of further increase in the water level of the lake” he added.
The water level of the lake, spreading over Jamshoro and Dadu districts, has presently reached to 122.5 RL, the irrigation department has warned. The level in the lake will be dangerous if it reaches to 123 feet.
The situation in Goth Pir Bakhsh Zardari in Shaheed Benazirabad is also very dangerous.
Larkana and Katcha area have completely been deluged.
The Indus River has caused havoc in Moza Shah Wala in Jampur. The floodwater has entered the city inundating the crop fields and houses. People have started evacuating the city on a self-help basis.
In Qambar Shahdadkot, the flood situation has worsened. In Garr Wah Drain in Warh, breaches measuring 100 to 150 feet long have occurred at several places.
In Gaji Kharo city near Warh, a dyke was broken near Achii Mosque and the flood water entered the houses. The inundated city was cut off from other cities.
The city administration could not be seen anywhere and people were stranded over there waiting for help.
A peak of water coming from Balochistan is heading to Sarh Hamal Lake from Zero Point at Qambar Shahdadkot.
On the other hand, the water level goes another 2 feet up in Khairpur Nathan Shah. The whole area presents a picture of a large river.
The rural health centre of Babo Saeed Khan was also submerged in flood water.
People have got stuck in many villages. Many areas in Tehsil Dorr were deluged.
Flood-hit people are compelled to migrate to safer places.
Khanpur Dam’s spillways opened
The 1,982-foot deep Khanpur Dam in KP which has become full to its capacity and could not take any more water, is expected to receive more inflow during the day. The administration opened its spillways to let the peak pass without causing damage to the dam and the adjoining areas.
Besides this, the Tarnawah Bridge was also closed for traffic from both sides.
The city assistant commissioner has directed the motorists not to use motorway from 9am till 12 noon for travelling to Khanpur Taxila.
Nullah Baro will also experience a low level flood today.
Thousands of settlements in Rajanpur, Fazilpur decimated
In South Punjab, the Rod Kohi torrents have created a havoc.
Thousands of settlements in Rajanpur and Fazilpur have been decimated. A torrent was reached near Kot Mithan. But the administration after changing the course of water at Fakhar dyke diverted it towards River Sindh.
The tribal areas have been cut off from rest of the country.
NDMA report
The National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) Friday stated that 57 died in the last 24 hours due to floods across the country.
According to the NDMA, 38 deaths were reported in Sindh, 17 in KP, and one each in Balochistan and Kashmir while a total of 7,683 people were injured in the last 24 hours in flood-related incidents across the country.
As many as 22 men, 18 women, and 17 children died within 24 hours. Since June 14, a total of 1,265 deaths were reported, the authority said, adding that 470 people died in Sindh, 257 in Balochistan, 285 in KP, and 188 in Punjab. In Gilgit-Baltistan, the total number of deaths was 22, while in Kashmir, 42 deaths were recorded. A total of 12,577 people sustained injured so far across the country.
In Sindh, the number of injured reached 8,314, while in Punjab 3,737 and in Balochistan the number of injured persons was 164.
The report stated that 736,242 houses were partially destroyed due to floods while 436,307 were destroyed completely due to recent rains and floods. It said 2,328 kilometers of roads were damaged in Sindh, 1,000 kilometers in Balochistan, and 1589 kilometers in KP. A total of 243 bridges across the country were damaged, the authority maintained.
The report said 500 kilometers of roads were damaged in Balochistan, adding that 5563 km of roads across the country were affected by the recent rains and floods.
Reporters Malik Shahid Tabassum, Javed Iqbal, Mohsinul Malik and Ikhlaq Chandio