The Provincial Disaster Management Authority in Punjab issued a “high alert” on Tuesday after India released 208,597 cusecs of water into the Sutlej river, and 2,50,000 cusecs of water in Chenab river.
Citing the flood levels below Sutlej in Firozpur, an Indian city located on the banks of the river, the PDMA said low-level floods were expected in plain areas.
Over the last two days, hundreds of people have been evacuated as increased water inflow in rivers from India threatened villages along riverbanks in Pakistan.
The National Disaster Management Authority said medium-level floods were reported from Harike and Firozpur in India, and were expected to reach Ganda Singhwala village in Kasur within the next 24 hours and six hours, respectively. He said commissioners and deputy commissioners of the areas concerned had been directed to complete all the preliminary arrangements, including evacuation of people living in low-lying areas, to prevent any untoward situation.
“Districts connected to the Sutlej river should finalise arrangements on an emergency basis and utilise all resources,” Javed stated, adding that the protection of life and property was the Punjab government’s “utmost priority”.
