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News Topical, Digital Desk : The flood waters in the southern parts of Pakistan's Punjab province have started receding slowly, but the scene of devastation is still frightening. Nearly 25 lakh people were forced to leave their homes and 101 people have died so far. People affected by the floods are living in relief camps and under the open sky.
The Provincial Disaster Management Authority (PDMA) said that this is the biggest relief and rescue operation in recent years. More than 1500 boats have been deployed, which have so far rescued 12 thousand 427 people. The most damage has been done in Multan, Muzaffargarh and Rahim Yar Khan districts. Many villages have been completely submerged in water, such as Laiti Mari Union Council where 40 thousand people lived.
Two villagers died
"Around 15,000 people fled on their own. Homes and fields have been destroyed and some are in relief camps, others are living under the open sky," local resident Syed Kausar Shah said. He said two villagers drowned while trying to flee.
The big news of relief is that Jalilpur Pirwala and Alipur tehsils have been declared safe. From Jalilpur Pirwala alone, 1 lakh people have been evacuated in three days and broken embankments are being repaired. Food and medicines are being dropped by helicopters and drones and supplies are still being delivered to villages by boat.
The danger is not over yet
PDMA Director General Irfan Ali Kathia said that there is still a risk of flooding at Panjnad Headworks. The water level has dropped to 4.92 lakh cusecs from 7 lakh cusecs earlier this week. He said that if the rescue work had started late, forced evacuation would have had to be done from Multan as well.
What are the official figures?
According to official figures, 4447 settlements in 28 districts have been submerged in water. About 2.19 million cattle have been moved to a safe place. At present, there is 95 thousand cusecs of water in the Sutlej river at Ganda Singh Wala place, which is considered a moderate flood.
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