Lahore ; India has released large volumes of water into Pakistan’s rivers, triggering floods in Sutlej, Ravi and Chenab, submerging dozens of villages and damaging standing crops on thousands of acres. Authorities have declared an emergency in multiple districts.
According to the Meteorological Department and PDMA, a high flood has been recorded at Ganda Singh Wala in the Sutlej, while a medium-level flood is passing through Head Sulaimanki.
The water level in River Ravi is also rising rapidly, with more than 50 villages near Ganda Singh submerged. Evacuation of residents from low-lying areas is underway.
Protective embankments near Okara and Burewala could not withstand the pressure and collapsed, while floodwaters have also wreaked havoc in Bahawalnagar, Minchinabad, Baba Farid Bridge, Bhukan Pattan and Arifwala, washing away standing crops.
Indian authorities have opened all spillways of the Thein Dam on River Ravi, releasing 210,000 cusecs of water at Kot Naina. PDMA has warned that within 24 hours, water flow at Kot Naina will further rise, with extremely high flood levels expected to pass through Jassar, Shahdara and Head Balloki.
At Jassar, water flow has reached 90,000 cusecs, while Shahdara has recorded 40,000 cusecs. Several protective levees have breached in Chishtian and Ahmedpur Sharqia, while Khairpur Daha Bridge has been severely affected.
Meanwhile, the Chenab River is also swelling, with a flow of 110,000 cusecs recorded near Chiniot. With floodwaters entering Head Marala, border villages have been put on high alert. The district administrations in Shakargarh, Ferozewala and other low-lying areas have been mobilized.
PDMA has urged residents of vulnerable areas to immediately move to safer locations, while district administrations remain on high alert to tackle any emergency.
