CHINIOT: Over 85 settlements and villages have been submerged by the floodwater as the Chenab level rose to 600,000 cusecs on Thursday. However, the level of flood is less than the 1,000,000 cusecs forecast.

There is exceptionally high flood in the river in the district. As a result, thousands of persons have been shifted to safer places along with their valuables and cattle. The floodwater has inundated crops on thousands of acres of land while houses, schools, mosques and public offices were hit.

The district administration has set up 12 flood relief camps at various points near to submerged villages where amenities like food, bed and medicines have been provided to the displaced persons. The administration evacuated about 15,000 people from flood affected areas a day before after the forecast of one million cusecs water hitting Chiniot on Thursday was made. Most of the floodwater dispersed in the upstream areas of Hafizabad, Wazirabad, Mandi Bahauddin, Pindi Bhattian and 600,000 cusecs reached Chiniot. Although most of the people left areas in anticipation of the flood, some of them remained present in their houses and they were evacuated by administration when floodwater surrounded their houses.

Due to heavy pressure of water, the Jhang Branch Canal developed a breach near Thatta Muhammad Shah, tehsil Bhowana, and canal water flooded crops. Similarly, the nullah bridge on the outskirts of Chiniot city also developed a breach and water entered nearby crops.

Additional Deputy Commissioner Wasiq Abbas said machinery had been moved to both points where breaches occurred and repair work would start shortly. He said no casualty was reported in the area and the army and police were mitigating the effects of flood in the district.

The administration has planted explosives on the dyke in Kot Muhammad Yar and Hersa Sheikh areas. The dyke will be breached if floodwater goes out of control. A committee of experts would decide about the explosion.

Published in Dawn, August 29th, 2025