Indus erosion breaches Mianwali embankment

MNA blames official inaction as over 12,000 kanals reportedly washed away

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This video grab shows a seven-kilometre-long artificial lake formed after a flash flood in Gilgit-Baltistan’s Ghizer district. —EXPRESS/X/@GBTOURISM

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MIANWALI:

A protective embankment along the Indus River in the Muhammad Sharif Wali area of Mianwali has collapsed after intense riverbank erosion, raising fears that nearby settlements could be inundated if water levels rise.

Residents said they had repeatedly urged the district administration over the past several months to take preventive measures against the advancing river erosion but alleged that no effective action was taken.

They claimed the administration only became active two days ago after the erosion had worsened significantly, but by then it was too late to prevent the embankment from giving way early on Saturday.

Although the Indus River is currently flowing at a relatively low level and floodwater has not yet entered nearby villages, locals fear that any increase in river discharge could put surrounding communities at immediate risk.

Member of the National Assembly (MNA) Jamal Ahsan Khan visited the breached embankment and strongly criticised the district administration for what he described as negligence in addressing the erosion threat.

He said he had previously raised the issue in writing with the Speaker of the National Assembly and had also informed the Sargodha commissioner and district authorities, but no meaningful action had been taken.

According to the MNA, more than 12,000 kanals of land have already been washed away by the river, and nearby settlements are now under threat.

The deputy commissioner said the district administration was making every possible effort to protect local communities from potential flooding.

He appealed to residents of Muhammad Sharif Wali to cooperate with the authorities and temporarily relocate to safer locations as a precaution.

He added that rescue teams were continuing relief and preparedness activities in flood-prone riverine areas and directed Rescue 1122 personnel and other relevant departments to remain on high alert to respond to any emergency.

Meanwhile, riverbank erosion has also intensified in the Doaba Dhangana area of Piplan tehsil, where the advancing erosion is threatening a nearby highway.

Local residents and community representatives alleged that despite spending millions of rupees on erosion-control measures, the problem has continued to worsen due to poor planning and ineffective implementation.

They accused successive governments of making political promises without carrying out meaningful mitigation work.