Floodwaters begin receding in a major Pakistani city but nearby towns face evacuations

MULTAN, Pakistan (AP) — Officials say floodwaters that threatened a major town in eastern Punjab province have started receding, sparing its 700,000 residents. However, rising waters on Friday swamped villages near two nearby cities, forcing panicked evacuations. The Disaster Management Authority said waters around Jalalpur Pirwala, which had touched the official danger mark, are now falling and expected to drop significantly within 48 hours. But rescue workers were racing to evacuate families from Shujaabad and Liaquatpur, where swollen rivers submerged surrounding villages. The latest development comes a week after flooding inundated dozens of villages near Jalalpur Pirwala, displacing tens of thousands. Banner image:  By Shazia Bhatti and Babar Dogar, Associated Press This article was o