ISLAMABAD: The Provincial Disaster Management Authority (PDMA) in Pakistan’s Punjab warned of high-level floods in the province’s Chenab, Ravi and Sutlej rivers on Saturday night, as the death toll from deluges since late August surged to 50.
Heavy monsoon rains and excess water released by Indian dams have caused water levels in Punjab to rise and triggered floods in the province since late August, killing around 50.
Punjab is also home to half of the country’s 240 million people and accounts for much of its wheat and rice production, creating food security concerns as initial estimates suggest 1.3 million acres of agricultural land have been inundated in the province amid the flooding of the three rivers. Nationwide, the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) said 905 people have been killed in rain and flood-related incidents since the monsoon began on June 26.
“Trimmu is sustaining a very high flood discharge of 465,000 cusecs, putting stress on District Jhang, particularly the 18 Hazari–Athara Hazari belt and Ahmedpur Sial,” the PDMA reported on Saturday night.
It said Panjnad, the confluence of five rivers in southern Punjab, is receiving 345,000 cusecs of water— slightly below its earlier peak of 380,000 cusecs, “but still in the high flood category.”
On the Ravi, the PDMA said Balloki was recording a very high flow of 157,065 cusecs, while Sidhnai registered 97,242 cusecs, also categorized as “very high.”
The rising water levels were exerting pressure on Sahiwal, Toba Tek Singh, Khanewal, and Kabirwala, the report noted, while Shahdara recorded 103,160 cusecs.
Meanwhile, at Ganda Singh Wala village on the Sutlej, the PDMA said water flows remain at an “exceptionally high flood” level of 303,828 cusecs, affecting Kasur and adjoining low-lying areas.
At Sulemanki, the water discharge was recorded at 137,232 cusecs, placing it in the high flood category.
Punjab Relief Commissioner Nabeel Javed said more than 4,100 villages and over 4.2 million people have been affected by the floods since late August. He said more than 2 million people have been rescued and shifted to safer places, while 423 relief camps, over 500 medical camps, and 432 veterinary camps have been established in the affected districts.
Javed added that Mangla Dam is currently 80 percent full, while Tarbela Dam has reached full capacity. In India, the Bhakra Dam is 90 percent full, the Pong Dam 99 percent full, and the Thein Dam 97 percent full.
POWER OUTAGES
Floods in Pakistan’s most populous province have triggered power outages and left many without electricity.
As per a report shared by the Power Division, out of 513 feeders affected by the floods, 254 have been fully restored and 253 temporarily restored.
The Power Division said that out of a total of 1,641,859 affected consumers, electricity has been restored for 1,361,641.
“For the remaining 276,745 consumers, electricity restoration remains a priority,” the Power Division said.
Separately, the PDMA issued a fresh alert, warning that the 10th spell of monsoon rains is likely to last in the country till Sept. 10.
“PDMA Punjab has directed commissioners and deputy commissioners across the province to remain on alert,” the authority said in its alert.
“Due to monsoon rains, streams and drains in major cities may overflow,” it further cautioned.
