Flood rages outside Multan

MULTAN: Water level is at peak in the Chenab river in Multan as 600,000 cusec water is flowing through Head Muhammadwala and Shershah which is likely to reduce considerably within next 24 hours.

Flood Control Cell head Chaudhary Zahid told on Saturday two breaches at Head Muhammadwala and three at Shershah embankment had been made to ensure maximum flow and save the urban population of Multan.

He said that Saturday was the most crucial day for Multan as water level was at peak. He said 234,000 cusec water was flowing from Head Trimmu. About the condition of embankments he said they were being monitored continuously and their condition was satisfactory.

Water has inundated hundreds of villages of riverine areas. However the urban areas are safe due to the breaches.

The road link between Multan and Muzaffargarh is suspended due to the breaches. Water level at Head Marala was at 58,542 cusec, Khanki 67,799 cusec and 61,427 cusec at Head Qadirabad.

However citizens of urban areas expressed concern over playing up of flood news especially related Multan city by the electronic media.

Saad Qureshi a resident of MDA said he had received many phone calls from his relatives in other cities urging him to leave Multan as early as possible. He stated that undue panic was being created by private TV channels.

The life in Multan city is normal as there is no threat to the city by the flood. An old man Abdul Sattar Qamar of Azmat Wasti Road said that there was nearly 1m cusec water in 1992 and the city remained safe.