Lahore:
Floodwaters over Punjab reached alarming levels on Tuesday, after India released further emissions in Sutlej and Ravi rivers, while persistent monsoon intensified the crisis, put millions of lives at risk and raised fears of a super flood in Sindh.
According to the flood forecasting department (FFD), Sutlej at Ganda Singh Wala registered over 350,000 CUSSCS WATER – the highest level since 1955.
At Sulemanki, the current was measured at 124,000 CUSERCS, while Islam -head works reported nearly 86,000 CUSSCS. Ravi was also witnessing a dangerous increase, with water levels registered at 54,000 CUSSCS in Jassar, 60,000 in Shahdara, 137,000 in Balloki and 107,000 in Sidhnai.
The Chenab River wore over 516,000 CUSERCS at the main trimmu and poses a growing threat to low-lying areas. The water level at the head Sanguiney rose rapidly and threatened Pir Mahal and Khanewal, while the traffic was suspended at the head Muhammad Wala in the middle of warnings that the protective dam may have to be violated to facilitate the pressure.
Provincial Disaster Management Authority (PDMA) reported that major dams were approaching critical thresholds. Mangla Dam has reached 82 percent of its capacity, while Tarbela is already filled to the brim. Across the border, India’s Bhakra Dam is 84 percent, Pong at 98 percent, and Thein of 92 percent and raises fears that any further releases could dangerously escalate the pressure downstream in Pakistan.
National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) confirmed that a massive wave of 550,000 CUSSCS on September 1, adopted through Trimmu, after protective dams were deliberately violated at two points to facilitate a former wave of 885,000 CUSSCS.
The power is now on its way to Panjnad head works that have a design capacity of 650,000 CUSSCS, and is expected to receive between 570,000 and 600,000 CUSSCS by September 3rd. In September 5, another 80,000 to 100,000 CUSSCS from Sutlej is expected to raise the total power to between 650,000 and 700,000 CUSSCS. The wave then moves to the Guddu barrier on September 6, followed by the SUKKUR and KOTRI barriers before draining in the Arabian Sea around 12 or 13 September.
PDMA -Human Director Irfan Ali Kathia said that over a million people have so far been moved to safe areas, while 41 people have lost their lives since August 26. He described the ongoing relief and evacuation effort as the greatest rescue operation in the history of the province.
Punjab -Nut Help Commissioner Nabeel Javed stated that over 3,200 villages and more than 2.4 million people have been affected. He said that 395 emergency camps, 392 medical camps and 336 veterinary camps have been created across flooding areas, while almost one million people and over 708,000 livestock have been moved to safer places.
Pakistan Meteorological Department has warned of further heavy rain over the next 24 to 48 hours, warning that the water pressure is likely to rise in the lower indus and southern Punjab. Authorities have expressed fear that the situation could escalate into a super flood in Sindh and threaten millions more in the coming days.
In southern Punjab, Chenab’s wave has entered the multan district, where local authorities weigh violation of dams to protect the city.
In Sindh, flooding at low level in SUKKUR, KOTRI and GUDUDU barriers has been reported, although many residents of the river “Katcha” areas oppose evacuation orders. Officials warn that refusal to leave the areas can complicate relief efforts if river levels continue to rise.
FFD reported that Tarbela Dam has reached full capacity, while the shortage is 83 percent filled. Rawal Dam has opened his emissions as the levels approached the danger mark. Authorities said more rainfall is expected through September 3, with forecasts pointing to continued high streams in Ravi, Sutlej and Chenab Rivers.
Meanwhile, the National Emergency Center Center (Neoc) has warned of possible urban floods in cities in Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK) and a risk of landslide in hilly areas due to expected rainfall within the next 12 to 24 hours.
According to the weather counseling issued by NDMAS Neoc, widespread heavy rain is expected within the next 12 to 24 hours across different parts of AJK, including Mirpur, Dadyal, Neelum Valley, Bagh, Kotli, Rawalakot, Muzaffarabad, Sharda, Haveli and surrounding areas.
NDMA has called on the residents of vulnerable regions to exercise extreme caution near streams and flooded roads, avoid unnecessary journeys, comply with security protocols, follow official directives, avoid contact with power lines and water -filled areas under the current heavy rain.
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has instructed the relevant authorities to speed up relief and rehabilitation activities in the flooded areas of Punjab and Sindh.
The premiere issued the directives while chaired a meeting in Beijing to undergo the flood situation and relief operations in Pakistan, where he temporarily paused his other engagements.
During the meeting, the NDMA chairman, Chief Secretaries of Punjab, Sindh and Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa, briefed with officials from various relevant institutions the prime minister about the current flooding conditions and progress in relief operations.
The premiere instructed the National Highway Authority (NHA) and the Ministry of Energy to take immediate steps to recover damaged communication and electricity transmission systems affected by the floods.
He emphasized full cooperation between the federal government, provincial governments and all affected institutions to provide relief to affected families, move them to safe areas and rehabilitate damaged infrastructure.
The Prime Minister instructed the authorities to focus especially on relief and recovery operations in the flooded affected areas of Punjab and Sindh.
He instructed the NDMA chairman to maintain full coordination PDMAs and provide all necessary support to the provincial governments.
The prime minister also ordered the Swift search and recovery of citizens who have disappeared due to the floods.
During the meeting, the Prime Minister was informed that authorities continuously monitored high flood levels in Ravi, Chenab and Sutlej. “Regulation of dams and barriers is in response to the rising water levels in these rivers.”
Specific locations that experience high flood levels or at risk include Trimmu, Balloki, Sidhnai, GS Wala and Sulemanki along the Chenab, Ravi and Sutlej rivers, the meeting was informed. “NDMA works closely with provincial administrations and disaster control authorities in these places.”
(With input from app)
