LAHORE: The Provincial Disaster Management Authority (PDMA) of Punjab on Friday warned of possible urban flooding until September 2 and directed authorities to stay on alert.
As per details, the PDMA head stated more than 429,000 people have been evacuated across the province, with over 1,700 villages still under threat. Thousands have already taken shelter in relief camps.
He said that heavy flooding had hit the Ravi and Sutlej river belts, submerging crops and forcing mass displacement. At Shahdara in Lahore, the Ravi has recorded its highest flow since 1988, with 211,000 cusecs passing through, he added.
Kathiya further stated that water levels are expected to rise further downstream at Baloki, while Chiniot has already received over 820,000 cusecs.
It is pertinent to mention here that Punjab’s three major rivers, Ravi, Chenab, and Sutlej, are experiencing extremely high floods, while floodwaters are moving towards Sindh.
The floods have breached embankments at several locations, submerged hundreds of settlements, and destroyed standing crops. In various incidents, at least 25 people have died, and many others are missing.
This was made worse when India started flooding its rivers, which led to massive destruction in various parts of Punjab.
Rescue efforts continue, and more than 45,000 have been removed to safer areas. Gujrat, Gujranwala, Mandi Bahauddin, Hafizabad, Narowal, Sheikhupura, Nankana Sahib, Kasur, Okara and Pakpattan are the worst-affected districts.
The water flow in the river Ravi at Shahdara is 191,000 cusecs, and this can increase to 200,000 cusecs. Notices have been issued on the evacuation of adjacent settlements, and 22 villages in 5 tehsils of Lahore have already been cleared.
High-level flooding continues at several locations, including Kot Nina, Jasar, and Saifon. In the Chenab River, Marala is experiencing moderate flooding, but the situation is extremely dangerous at Khanqi and Qadirabad, where water flows range from 859,000 to 996,000 cusecs.
More than 50 villages in Submariyal are submerged, and 8 people have died. The floodwaters are expected to reach Muzaffargarh by Friday. In the Sutlej River, Ganda Singh Wala faces an extremely dangerous flood situation, with a water flow of 261,000 cusecs.
