MULTAN: Nearly 100 people are stranded still in the flooded area of Mohammadpur Ghota, a riverine areas of the Chenab, to guard their houses and valuables.

Dozens of people including Subhaan, Ghous Bukhash and others of Muhammadpur Ghota informed APP that their village comprised nearly 20,000 people and 100 people were present in their houses to guard their valuables.

They also told APP that the stranded people were expert swimmers and had no fear of floods.

However, they suggested the district administration provide jackets to the stranded people.

When contacted, DCO Zahid Saleem Gondal maintained that the district administration had tried its best to evacuate the people from the area. He added that police was also being used to evacuate them. He said helicopters were also being used to rescue people.

He said nearly 45 boats were being used for transport of stranded families, animals and valuables. The DCO claimed the district administration was also providing fuel to owners of private boats to rescue stranded people.

He stated that nearly 2 lakh cusec water was flowing in the river which was rising gradually. He said a heavy wave of water was expected within next 24 hours.

He said flood could affect 120 villages in Multan, however, the district administration had finalised all possible arrangements for relief activities.

According to Irrigation department sources, three lakh cusec water was flowing from Trimmu headworks today (Tuesday morning).

They said water level was increasing with the passage of time.

Source: APP