Emergency declared in Pak’s Okara amid fears of flood

Deputy Commissioner of Okara, Pakistan, Dr Muhammad Zeeshan Hanif declared an emergency and ordered public hospitals, rural health centres (RHCs), basic health units (BHUs) and dispensaries to remain open around the clock, while army personnel joined the Rescue 1122 to deal with any possible flood situation here, Pakisan-based daily Dawn reported. All public officials’ leaves have been cancelled.
According to District Emergency Officer Zafar Iqbal, Rescue 1122 has 150 employees and 34 boats, and they have relocated 850 individuals in the last 24 hours, as reported by Dawn. Dawn is a Pakistani English-language newspaper. Medical camps had been set up at 11 locations, including Drazky, Mehloo Sheikhuka, Nama Jindeka, and Ratta, with livestock counters stocked with medicines. Syed Shoaib Iqbal, DC, and Commissioner Syed Shoaib Iqbal paid visits to the Head Sulemanki and Attari base camps, where irrigation authorities briefed them on the water flow condition. On Saturday, more than 1,00,000 cusecs of water passed through the Sutlej River near Attari point. The Rescue 1122, a central control room landline 0449200287, was accessible 24 hours a day, seven days a week to receive any calls for assistance.
The commissioner then went to the villages of Sojeky and Draz, where he was told that the people, together with their animals, had been evacuated from flood-prone areas. Three dozen villages in Sahiwal have been evacuated, while warnings have been issued in Muzaffargarh and Bahawalpur. The commissioner requested that the district administration hire lumberdars to reach out to the locals. Punjab caretaker Chief Minister Mohsin Naqvi on Saturday said rescue efforts are underway after a flood “unprecedented in 35 years” was reported in the Sutlej River, according to Dawn.

Sutlej River Surge

• District Emergency Officer Zafar Iqbal reports Rescue 1122’s efforts.
• 150 employees and 34 boats aiding rescue operations.
• 850 people relocated in 24 hours.
• 11 medical camps set up, including Drazky and Ratta.
• Officials Syed Shoaib Iqbal and Commissioner visit Head Sulemanki and Attari base camps.
• Irrigation authorities brief on water flow condition near Attari point.
• Over 100,000 cusecs of water passed through Sutlej River on Saturday.