PDMA Informs of Fresh Flood Threat From India
The Provincial Disaster Management Authority has alert of a new flood threat in Punjab as it is anticipated that more than 70,000 cubic feet of water will enter Pakistan in the next few days from India.
Irfan Ali Kathia, Director General of the PDMA, stated at a press conference in Lahore that the heavy rains across the region have exacerbated the situation, with Gujrat, Mandi Bahauddin, and other areas recording torrential rains over the last 24 hours.
The water levels in Ganda Singhwala have lowered moderately following a dam rupture in India. However, high flood conditions continue at Head Sulemanki & Head Islam.
Inflows at Head Marala have reached 175,000 cubic seconds.
Water levels in Chiniot peaked at over 800,000 cubic seconds before descending to 650,000 cubic seconds.
Head Trimu is expected to experience a huge wave of 830,000 cubic seconds. The rising levels in both the Ravi River and Sutlej River pose a threat for areas downstream.
Head Muhammad Wala water flows is between 700,000 and 800,000 cubic seconds, which may force the breaching of embankments in urban areas.
The DG stated that extraordinary safety steps were being taken. The Pakistan Army is supporting more than 800 boats of rescue and 13,000 people in the flood-hit regions.
Floods have affected:
There are 966,000 people living along the Chenab.
There are 232,000 people living along the Ravi.
313 000 people live along the Sutlej.
There are hundreds of camps, and 6,000-7,000 people receive food and shelter in Lahore. Mr. Kathia confirmed that at least 30 people died in accidents linked to flooding.
He also criticized the lack of a mechanism for sharing information with India. Pakistan said it does not receive timely alerts regarding water releases across the boundary.
He said that despite federal efforts, India has not provided any advance information. Once the rescue operations are completed, comprehensive rehabilitation for victims will follow.
