STAFF REPORT
LAHORE: Punjab is under another flood threat, even greater than the recent one, after India releases massive water from Salal Dam without official notice. According to Punjab’s Provincial Disaster Management Authority (PDMA), the release is expected to send an estimated 800,000 cusecs of floodwater into Pakistan’s River Chenab within 48 hours, raising fears of ‘extremely high flood conditions’ across multiple districts. PDMA Director General Irfan Ali Kathia said all districts along Chenab have been placed on high alert, with commissioners and deputy commissioners have been instructed to remain in the field. “The next 36 hours are critical,” he warned, stressing that the water level could reach dangerous level at Head Marala. The surge comes as flooding has already caused widespread destruction along the Sutlej, Ravi and Chenab rivers. On the other hand, with Tarbela Dam now at 100 per cent capacity and Mangla at 82 per cent, officials warn that the margin for absorbing further inflows is shrinking. Breaches of embankments in Bahawalpur have inundated thousands of acres of crops, displacing villagers who are now evacuating with their livestock by boat. In Jhang, rescue teams continue to evacuate stranded families from the village of Jangran, while in Muzaffargarh, rising water level in the Chenab has forced authorities to consider emergency breaches to reduce pressure. In Multan’s Shujaabad tehsil, authorities warned that up to 800,000 cusecs of water may flow through the Chenab, posing serious threat to 140 villages. Commissioner Amir Karim said that if needed, controlled cuts would be made at Head Muhammadwala to safeguard downstream areas. Meanwhile, in Narowal and Nankana Sahib, breaches in protective bunds have pushed floodwaters into both urban and rural settlements, destroying crops and livestock. At Head Ganda Singh Wala on Sutlej, officials reported ‘alarming flood levels’ that have already wiped out thousands of acres of farmland. Disaster claims 33 lives Punjab Relief Commissioner Nabeel Javed said more than 2,000 villages have been inundated across the province, affecting nearly 2.06 million people. So far, over 760,000 people have been evacuated to safer areas. Authorities have set up 511 relief camps, 354 medical camps, and 333 veterinary centers, while more than 516,000 livestock have been shifted to higher ground.
