Flooding moderate at two points in Sutlej River
As the River Sutlej breaks its banks, residents of small hamlets in Bahawalnagar evacuate and move to higher grounds. PHOTO: EXPRESS/FILE
The flood level at Islam Headworks and Ganda Singh Wala in the Sutlej River reduced to medium on Sunday, bringing a sense of relief to the vulnerable areas.
The decrease in water flow resulted in the lowering of flood levels at the two points just a day after the Sutlej River experienced high flood levels at these locations, as the Indian side's dams reached their maximum capacity.
The decrease comes after the Flood Forecasting Division (FFD) had a day earlier forecast sustained high flood levels for the next 24 hours.
On Sunday, the FFD said the Indus River was experiencing low flood levels at Taunsa, Chashma, and Guddu headworks as of 12 pm.
The Punjab Provincial Disaster Management Authority (PDMA) confirmed the reduction in flood levels in the Sutlej River, announcing that over a hundred villages had been reinstated to their usual state within the past three days.
The PDMA spokesperson further stated that the authority was closely monitoring the situation and implementing relief measures in the affected districts.
The spokesperson provided statistics on the ongoing rescue and relief efforts, including the rescue of 970 people and the establishment of 175 relief camps. Medical camps set up in Bahawalnagar, Kasur, Okara, Pakpattan, Lodhran, Vihari, and Bahawalpur had benefited around 32,000 people, while rations were distributed among 300 flood-affected families.
Additionally, 21,000 cattle were moved to safe places. However, 480 villages in Punjab remain affected.
Nabeel Javed, the Punjab Relief Commissioner, expressed optimism about the situation, stating that life is gradually returning to normal. He assured displaced people that they would be able to return to their homes soon.
He emphasised that the restoration of flood-affected areas is the first priority, as directed by the caretaker chief minister.
To support the relief and rescue operations, the spokesperson for Rescue 1122 in Punjab, Farooq Ahmad, said that 425 boats and 1,660 personnel were currently in use.
In the past 24 hours, 6,725 people were evacuated, 937 people were transported, and 1,021 animals were relocated to safe places in Okara, Vehari, Kasur, Pakpattan, and Bahawalnagar districts.
Meanwhile, the Pakistan Army continued its rescue and relief efforts in low-lying areas affected by floods.
Troops were distributing free rations, conducting rescue operations, and running medical camps in Khairpur Tammay Wali, Hasilpur, and Bahawalnagar.
The army, in collaboration with local authorities, also evacuated people from flood-hit areas in Mailsi, Chishtian, Minchanabad, Vehari, Pakpattan, Hasilpur, Arifwala, and Sulaimanki head.