Islamabad (TDI): Around 150,000 people have been moved to safer places after warnings of rising water levels in the Sutlej and Ravi rivers, triggered by heavy rainfall and India’s release of water into the two rivers.
Authorities have cautioned that adjoining districts may face flooding as water levels continue to climb.
Responding to early alerts, Punjab’s Provincial Disaster Management Authority (PDMA) launched large-scale evacuation efforts in vulnerable areas, shifting thousands of residents from Bahawalnagar, Kasur, Okara, Pakpattan, Bahawalpur, and Vehari. Hundreds of riverside villages have already been emptied.
According to the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA), about 40,000 people left on their own soon after initial advisories were issued. Emergency response teams have been deployed, while all relevant departments remain on high alert to protect lives and property.
Officials have urged the public to avoid rivers, streams, and low-lying areas, refrain from unnecessary travel, and follow safety instructions shared through television, radio, mobile alerts, and the NDMA’s Disaster Alert app.
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Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif on Monday directed authorities to speed up evacuations to ensure all stranded families are relocated before floodwaters arrive.
The NDMA reported that the Sutlej is at a very high flood stage at some points, while other stretches face high to medium flooding. The Ravi’s water levels are also rising, with medium flooding recorded in certain areas and lower levels elsewhere. Its tributaries, Basantar, Bein, and Deg, are flowing at low to medium flood levels.
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The Indus is experiencing medium flooding at Sukkur and low flooding at Kalabagh, Chashma, Guddu, and Kotri barrages. The Chenab is in low flood at Head Marala, while its tributaries are also showing low levels. Flows in the Jhelum, Kabul, and Nari rivers remain normal, and no hill torrents are currently active in the Suleman Range or Dera Ghazi Khan division.
Reservoirs are filling quickly. Tarbela is nearly full, Mangla is approaching capacity, and water levels at Khanpur, Rawal, and Simly dams are also rising.
Farkhund Yousafzai is an Associate Editor at The Diplomatic Insight.
