Flood victims return to waist-deep water in Ferozwala

Key Takeaways

Residents of Rahim Colony and Pathan Colony have returned to their flooded homes.
Aslam and his family left their house after the Bhed Nullah overflowed, returning now for essentials.
Local authorities predict another monsoon spell may worsen flooding in the region.

Residents of Ferozwala, particularly those from Rahim Colony and Pathan Colony, have returned to their flooded homes despite the waist-deep water. Aslam, a resident of Rahim Colony, recounted his experience: 'Flooding in Bhed Nullah has always ruined our houses and farmland, throwing our life out of gear.'

The situation is dire for many families who had to evacuate after the nullah overflowed, leaving behind all their belongings. Maqsood Ali, a local worker from Ferozwala, moved his family to Lahore when water inundated his village: 'Our houses are underwater since there is water everywhere.'

Dawn witnessed several people leaving their houses in rescue boats and moving towards safer places with the help of rescue officials. Ramzan, one of those displaced, said, 'We have left our house in Bhullay village and sent our family to relatives temporarily.'

The Bhed Nullah is just one of several nullahs that overflowed due to frequent rains over the last week. According to Punjab irrigation officials, these swollen streams caused significant devastation along their banks, including Pathan Colony, Rahim Colony, Bhullay village, and Forest Park.

Aslam expressed his frustration with the lack of government assistance: 'We have not received any help from the government so far.' The situation is particularly dire in Pathan Colony, where most houses are under four to five feet of water—some even worse.

Local authorities predict another monsoon spell will swell the eastern rivers and their tributaries, potentially exacerbating the flooding. For Aslam and many others, life has been difficult before the floods, but he fears more hardships in the near future.

The Bhed Nullah, along with other nullahs like Main Deg, Nikki Dege, and Main Hussri, originate in Kashmir and pass through rural and semi-urban localities of Punjab before merging with various rivers, particularly the River Ravi. This month's heavy rains have caused these streams to overflow, leading to widespread flooding.

The residents' return to their flooded homes is a poignant reminder of the ongoing struggle against natural disasters. As they wade through waist-deep water to retrieve essential items, their resilience and determination are evident.