QUETTA: Ferocious floods have inundated the outskirts of Usta Mohammad after breaching embankments on the Khirthar and Saifullah Magsi canals.

Irrigation workers have been making hectic efforts to erect a dyke with the help of local people to save the town.

“A 200-feet breach developed on the right bank of Khirthar canal early on Tuesday morning and surging waters played havoc in the area,” an official told Dawn, adding that another large breach had occurred in the Saifullah canal, triggering a massive flow towards Usta Mohammad.

Local people agreed to divert the floods towards fields to save populated areas.

Water from the Khirthar canal is flowing towards the ‘green belt’, ravaging standing rice crops over thousands of acres.

Floodwaters have reached Gharibabad, on the outskirts of Usta Mohammad, but have reportedly changed direction and are now moving towards Qubo Saeed Khan town, on the Sindh-Balochistan border.

“We hope Usta Mohammad will remain safe because the water has changed direction,” Dr Ghulam Hussain of Usta Mohammad told Dawn