FLOODS GRIP PUNJAB

Press, Volume XC, Issue 27472, 5 October 1954, Page 11

FLOODS GRIP PUNJAB

STATE OF EMERGENCY DECLARED KARACHI, September 30. Punjab is in the grip of heavy floods as a result of which a state of emergency has been declared by the State Government in 15 out of 17 districts. The Army has been called out to stand by. Sialkot (centre of the sports goods industry), which is reported to be the worst affected district, has been completely isolated. After an unusually heavy downpour now extending over 96 hours, four rivers—Jhelum, Ravi, Sutlej and Chenab—are in spate and have reached their banks at a number of places. Rail and road traffic have been dislocated in many places. Though the exact figures of the casualties are not available, at present a number of deaths and heavy damage to livestock and crops is reported from over a wide area. Extensive damage was also caused to a very large number of houses, thousands of which are reported to have collapsed. According to latest reports reaching Karachi, the rivers Chenab, Jhelum, Ravi and Sutlej are registering a regular rise in their levels.

Official sources indicated the possibility of the water level of the Indus river rising high next week. The Sind State Government has already put into action its anti-flood machinery to protect against the apgrehended flood when the wateri reach ukkur next week.