ATTOCK:
Rescue authorities on Saturday safely evacuated 25 people, including women and children, who were stranded in the Indus River near Shadi Khan, Attock, after a sudden surge in water levels due to monsoon rains and the opening of Tarbela Dam’s spillways.
According to rescue officials, the group became trapped when the river’s flow intensified unexpectedly, leaving them isolated and unable to return to safety.
The operation, which lasted five hours, was carried out by emergency teams who acted swiftly to prevent any casualties. Livestock also stranded in the river was secured during the operation. Rescue sources stated that the rise in water level at the Shadi Khan point was triggered by the monsoon-fed release of water from Tarbela Dam’s spillways.
The prompt response ensured that all individuals were moved to a secure location without injury.
A day ago, amid relentless rainfall in the upper regions and the water level in Tarbela Dam surging, prompting authorities to open the dam’s spillways to manage the inflow. The authorities had warned that the spillway release was likely to result in flood-like conditions in the Indus River.
According to a spokesperson for the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA), the opening of the spillways could cause the flow of water to increase significantly, ranging between 260,000 to 270,000 cusecs. The authority strongly advised residents in adjacent regions to stay clear of riverbanks and water channels.
Tourists visiting scenic spots near the Indus River have also been urged to exercise caution and cooperate with local authorities to avoid any untoward incidents.
