Rahim Yar Khan: Major canal breach floods five villages, blocks main highway

RAHIM YAR KHAN: A 150-foot wide crack has appeared in the Abbasia Canal in the Rahim Yar Khan region causing havoc in the surrounding areas. Thousands of acres of land, crops, gardens and settlements have been flooded. Five villages are submerged under water, many houses have collapsed, and schools, houses, and paved roads have been flooded.

The crack has appeared at the land connection point between Rahim Yar Khan and Khanpur at Kotsambaba, which caused canal water to enter houses and shops in urban areas. Local administration has said that announcements have been made in mosques and people have started migrating and are moving to safer places.

The flood situation due to canal water on the city roads has also made it impossible for citizens to pass through the main highway. Due to water accumulating on the main highway, Rahim Yar Khan has been cut off from Khanpur by land.

The water flow of the fast-flowing canal is still rapidly increasing and entering the settlements, while 50,000 acres of land have already been flooded, crops ready for harvest have been destroyed and gardens have also been affected. Houses, shops and markets have also been flooded.

The administration also said that they are working with the Disaster Management Authority teams, rescue officials and police to evacuate people trapped in the flood.

The Sadiq Canal feeder was also closed from Head Panjnad, and other channels were opened to reduce the flow of water, the Irrigation Department said, adding that efforts are being made to fill the crack using heavy machinery.

However, despite the passage of 20 hours, the authorities are still facing difficulties in closing the crack due to fast flow of water.

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