Punjab, Pakistan’s biggest province, is battling with massive floods in Chenab, Ravi and Sutlej rivers following the neighboring India released water into Pakistan.
Based on new information provided by the Indian High Commission regarding flood conditions, the Indus Water Commission has issued flood alerts at various points along the Chenab and Ravi rivers.
Following the release of water by India, flood conditions have intensified in the Chenab River. In response, district authorities carried out a controlled explosion near Head Qadirabad in Gujranwala to create a breach.
At Trimmu Headworks in Jhang, water levels in the Chenab continue to rise. Current inflows stand at 63,034 cusecs, while outflows are 51,834 cusecs.
According to district administration officials, an estimated 412 villages across the district are at risk of flooding. Residents in riverine areas have been instructed to evacuate with their livestock, with announcements being made through mosques.
Deputy Commissioner Ali Akbar Bhinder said that the district administration has set up 18 flood relief camps, while Rescue 1122 has established 27 additional camps.
Director General of the Provincial Disaster Management Authority (PDMA), Irfan Ali Kathia, told the media that this is the highest water level in rivers in 38 years, with a major flood wave having passed Shahdara last night.
Kathia said that the Ravi River has not seen such high water levels since 1988. He urged residents along the Ravi banks to evacuate, warning that a massive flood wave will pass through in the next two to three days.
“A large wave will pass Shahdara between 10 p.m. and midnight tonight. While this will be a challenge, all necessary measures have been taken, and we are hopeful that no lives will be lost,” he added.
He further stated that water flow at Jassar on the Ravi is currently 240,000 cusecs. Last night, both Chenab and Ravi experienced high flood levels, with Khanqah Headworks presently under heavy flow. The Chenab is experiencing its highest flood levels in a decade.
The DG PDMA emphasized that due to timely measures in Punjab, there has been no loss of life so far. However, until the flood passes through Rahim Yar Khan, the province will remain under challenge. He reassured that structural damage is not anticipated.
According to the National Emergencies Operation Center (NEOC), there is an extraordinary flood situation in the Chenab, Ravi, and Sutlej rivers.
At Marala on the Chenab, an extremely high flood peak of 769,481 cusecs is advancing, while at Khanki the flow of a peak measuring 705,225 cusecs is receding.
The NEOC reported that at Shahdara on the Ravi, the flow stands at 72,900 cusecs, posing flooding risks to low-lying areas of Shahdara, Park View, and Motorway-2.
On the Sutlej, the flow at Ganda Singh Wala remains extremely high at 245,000 cusecs, while at Head Sulemanki it is steady at 100,355 cusecs.
