Pak Army starts rescue operation after breach in Nai Gaj Dam: ISPR

RAWALPINDI: Pakistan Army has started rescue operations in Dadu after a breach in the Nai Gaj Dam badly affected 12 nearby villages on Saturday.

According to a press release issued by Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR), Pakistan Army troops, including engineers and medical teams reached the affected areas for rescue and relief efforts for stranded people in distress in Dadu using motorboats.

Heavy rainfall in Dadu during ongoing monsoon spell has caused flooding in Nai Gaj and other drains on Saturday (today). According to sources, the water in Nai Gaj flowing at the level of 28 feet and more than 50 villages in its route have submerged.

The flooding in the Gaj river has disrupted land links of more than 200 villages from Dadu and Juhi towns. Hundreds of villagers have taken refuge at trees and roofs of houses to avoid harm.

Nai Gaj is an ephemeral river in Dadu district, drains from the Kirthar mountain range and flows from Balochistan to Sindh. It ends at Lake Manchar after flowing through the arid areas of the Kachho region.

Pakistan Meteorological Department (PMD) on Friday had issued a weather advisory for more rain in the province till Sunday morning.

“More rain and wind-thundershower is expected in most parts of Balochistan from Friday to Sunday morning. Heavy falls are expected in Sindh, Karachi Kalat, Khuzdar, Lasbella, Awaran, Panjgur, Ketch and Gwadar during the period,” PMD said.

On Thursday, it had forecast heavy rainfall in Sindh, South Punjab and eastern parts of Balochistan from Friday till Saturday along with a warning of urban flooding for Karachi and Hyderabad.

At least 11 people have now died in separate rain-related incidents in the metropolis during the current monsoon spell as Karachi again received moderate showers for the third consecutive day today (Saturday).