Sutlej breach floods 20km area in Bahawalnagar.

BAHAWALNAGAR -- A 50-foot wide breach caused by heavy torrential rains in the protection dyke of Sutlej river near the Shamska village has flooded the nearby area, destroying crops on about 10,000 acre land in the last four days and more damage is feared in the coming days.

The residents of the area fear the floodwater could destroy the only bridge (Baba Fareed Bridge) over the Sutlej near Mari Chakoka between Minchinabad and Pakpattan and affect residential localities if steps to control the situation are not taken at the earliest.

Hundreds of villagers, residing on the riverbed, have been stranded along with thousands of cattle whereas paddy and fodder crops have also been ruined by the floodwater, the revenue department sources said.

The villagers said the breach occurred on July 21 but the administration started paying visits to the area a day after the incident when a huge protest was held by the locals. While terming their visits mere photo sessions, the locals alleged that the administration had done nothing to plug the breach yet. They feared that if the rain started again, which was expected to continue till Aug 3, it could cause massive losses of life and property. They said thousands of affected people needed...