CRBC canal breach: Rescue, relief operations continue in DIKhan

Dera Ismail Khan , Sep 16 (APP):The district administration of Dera Ismail Khan remained fully mobilised as rescue and relief operations continued following a breach in the Chashma Right Bank Canal (CRBC) near Pir Ashab village in Tehsil Paharpur, with officials closely monitoring the situation and taking measures to protect the affected population.

Deputy Commissioner Dera Ismail Khan Hikmatullah, accompanied by senior administrative officers, paid a detailed visit to the affected areas in Paharpur to review the situation and ongoing rescue and relief operations. He inspected the site of the breach, rehabilitation and strengthening work on the canal, measures being taken to control and divert the flow of water, and the situation of inundated agricultural land and residential areas.

Officials of the Irrigation Department, Rescue 1122 and the Revenue Department briefed the Deputy Commissioner about the measures taken to control water pressure and erosion, strengthen the canal embankment and evacuate residents and livestock from vulnerable areas.

The Deputy Commissioner directed the concerned departments to utilise heavy machinery and all available resources without interruption to plug the breach and prevent further damage. He also directed officials to ensure timely provision of food, clean drinking water and emergency medical facilities to affected people, besides arranging medical camps and necessary care for livestock.

Revenue officials were directed to conduct a transparent and timely survey of damage caused to crops, houses and public infrastructure so that a comprehensive assessment could be prepared for further relief and compensation measures.

Following the breach, the district administration immediately mobilised the Irrigation and WAPDA authorities. The water flow from Chashma Barrage was reduced in accordance with the prescribed standard operating procedures, while cuts were made downstream of the breach to control the pressure and flow of water.

Additional Deputy Commissioner General Syed Muhammad Arsalan Shah, Additional Deputy Commissioner Finance and Planning Adnan Khan, Assistant Commissioner Paharpur and Assistant Commissioner Dera Ismail Khan remained present at the site and supervised the rescue and relief measures. Heavy machinery and labourers were deployed to strengthen the canal embankment and protect nearby settlements.

Relief activities continued throughout the day in the affected areas. A temporary camp established at the Degree College was providing accommodation, food and medical facilities to displaced people.

The Provincial Disaster Management Authority provided 250 tents, 250 tarpaulins and 250 mattresses for distribution among the affected families. Islamic Relief provided 300 ration packages, while the district administration arranged meals for more than 300 people. Medicines and medical assistance were also distributed among the affected people with the cooperation of the non-governmental organisations.

Efforts to drain stagnant water were also under way with the assistance of excavators. Drainage channels were being cleared of obstructions and vegetation to ensure the smooth flow of water. Officials said that water levels in the CRBC and other distributaries had started to recede.

On the directives of the Deputy Commissioner, 25 additional Patwaris and Revenue Department personnel were called from other tehsils to expedite distribution of non-food items and conduct surveys of losses. The exercise is aimed at facilitating timely assessment of damages and subsequent relief and compensation for affected people.

The Deputy Commissioner said the district administration was maintaining a state of alert to safeguard the lives and property of citizens and that monitoring and relief activities would continue round the clock until the canal was restored and affected people were able to return to normal life.

The administration, in coordination with Rescue 1122, also facilitated the safe evacuation of residents and livestock from houses affected by the rising water. According to the administration, no loss of life or injuries were reported as a result of the incident.

The spokesman of Rescue 1122 Dera Ismail Khan said its teams continued the rescue and relief operation for the third consecutive day in the affected area of Pir Ashab. Its personnel remained engaged until late at night and safely shifted residents and livestock from vulnerable areas to secure locations.

The service said the water flow had decreased, but continuous monitoring and relief operations were still under way.

Rescue 1122 disaster-response vehicles, ambulances and personnel remained deployed at the site and on alert to deal with any further emergency, while assistance was being provided to the affected population in coordination with the district administration.