‘Calamity in Punjab’ if more rains lash India
Poisonous water is being thrown into the Kotri Barrage canal which supplies water to Karachi. This has become a health and environmental hazard for the people of Jamshoro, Thatta and Karachi. PHOTO: FILE
The Punjab Provincial Disaster Management Authority (PDMA) on Saturday warned that in case of more rains, a catastrophic increase in water discharge from India is expected as the levels in its dams -- Pong and Bakhra -- on Sutlej River were dangerously high.
In a statement, the PDMA spokesperson said in such a scenario, the districts of Kasur, Okara, Pakpattan, Vehari, Bahawalnagar, Lodhran, Multan and Bahawalpur could be severely affected by floodwater.
He continued that housing societies and towns along Sutlej River might have to be evacuated. PDMA Director General Imran Qureshi said details about the places, villages and societies, which were facing the threat of flooding, had been provided to their administrations.
He pointed out that both Islam Headworks and Gandha Singh Wala points on Sutlej River were grappling with significant flooding.
He urged the people against engaging in recreational activities in urban rivers and streams to prevent accidents.
Punjab Relief Commissioner Nabeel Javed also expressed his concerns over the high water levels in the Indian dams and directed the authorities to remain on high alert.
He instructed that the administrations of the districts concerned should ensure the removal of encroachments from the paths of rivers and canals.
The relief commissioner said information should also be shared with the residents of these districts so that they would remain mentally prepared for any catastrophe.
He added that people and institutions together could minimise the damage caused by the floods.
Javed said in case of any emergency, residents could report to the PDMA helpline round the clock.
A dire situation unfolded as Sutlej River maintained its relentless surge in floodwater through Vehari district. Hundreds of villages were submerged and thousands of acres of standing crop inundated.
Several houses have collapsed, leaving thousands homeless and compelling others to evacuate their villages. Vital land routes have been severed, isolating several settlements.
Amid the chaos, Rescue 1122 officials saved a bride and groom who were swept away by the forceful currents. The flow of water at Islam Headworks was recorded at 155,000 cusecs.
The Flood Forecasting Division (FFD) reported that Indus River was at “low” flood level at Kalabagh, Chashma and Guddu.
The FFD predicted “scattered wind thunderstorm/rain of moderate intensity with isolated heavy falls” over the upper catchments of all major rivers during the next 24 hours.
A weekly weather outlook by the FFD read that no high flood situation was expected in any of the country’s major rivers except Sutlej.
Punjab Livestock Minister Ibrahim Murad visited Vehari district and directed the officials there to utilise all available resources in extending comprehensive assistance to those affected by the floods.