Punjab Provincial Disaster Management Authority (PDMA) reports that the water flow in Indus, Jhelum, Ravi and Chenab Rivers return to normal after weeks of heavy flooding that destroyed large parts of the province.
According to PDMA Punjab, Chenab has normalized at Marala, Khanki, Qadirabad and Trimmu, while Hill Torrents in Dera Ghazi Khan has disappeared.
A medium-level flood persists at Ganda Singh Wala on the Sutlej River, and flooding at low level continues at Panjnad, Sulemanki and Islam major works.
Dams remain near pointed levels, with a shortage at 95 % capacity and tarbela full. Across the border, Bhakra is 88 %, Pong 94 %and Thein of 88 %.
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Over 4,700 villages have been affected by floods in Ravi, Sutlej and Chenab Rivers, affecting 4,723 million people, said emergency commissioner Punjab Nabeel Javed. The disaster has claimed 118 lives.
A study for assessing damage will begin soon and compensation will be delivered through a transparent process when the assessment is completed, Javed added.
PDMA warns that the ongoing 11th Monsun magic form continues until September 19, bringing rain to Rawalpindi, Murree, Galiyat, Gujranwala, Lahore, Gujrat, Sialkot and other districts. Citizens are advised to stay aware and contact the relief line 1129 if necessary.
In Sindh, the top of the flood has gone, with the current wave at SUKKUR BARRAGE, which is expected to fall today. However, the river indus remains in high flood at the Guddu and Succur barriers.
Inflow at Guddu is located at 570,027 CUSERCs with an outflow of 542,809 CUSERCs, while Sukkur reports 571,800 CUSCS EXERCISE and 518,120 CUSSCS EXCLUDING.
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Further downstream of Kotri is the river in low flood with an influx of 310,698 CUSERCS.
Flood Forecast Division expects Guddu and Succur to remain in high flood for the next 36 hours, with Kotri likely to remain at medium flood through the end of September.
Sindh Minister of Chief Murad Ali Shah told a press conference in Karachi that all dams are safe and government institutions and ministers are active in the field. He added that a flood wave is expected at Kotri Barrage next week.
Rescue and relief operations
The Punjab police have saved more than 822,900 flooded people in recent operations, Inspector General Dr. Usman Anwar. The evacuated include over 365,000 men, 246,685 women and 211.178 children, while 634,460 livestock has also moved to safe locations.
A total of 337 emergency camps and 429 medical camps have been created in flood districts, and over 2,611 million people trapped in floods have been moved to safer places. About 368 veterinary camps provide treatment of livestock, and more than 2,089 million animals have been moved.
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More than 15,000 police personnel, supported by 720 vehicles and 40 boats, are dealing with the operations. From the Multan and Dera Ghazi Khan regions alone, 317,777 and 137,571 citizens are rescued.
Safe City Thermal Imaging Technology and Drone Cameras help the efforts, and Anwar praised regional and district policy for effective coordination.
Rehabilitation plan
Separately, Punjab Chief Secretary Zahid Akhtar Zaman was chairman of a meeting to review relief and rehabilitation plans. He ordered additional tents and food supplies to UCH SHARIF and instructed Deputy Commissioners to remain on site to supervise operations.
Zaman said the immediate rehabilitation of flood victims is the highest priority of the government. He instructed officials to drain flooding water, preventing outbreaks of diseases through fumigation and medical supplies, recovering damaged roads and arranging temporary housing for those who lost their homes.
