Islamabad: India has released around 208,597 cusecs of water from Harike Barrage into Sutlej River, out of which 100,000 cusecs reached Kasur, in view of which Provincial Disaster Management Authority (PDMA) has issued an alert. Meanwhile, floodwaters passed River Ravi safely and now there is no threat of flooding in River Ravi.

Punjab Flood Relief Commissioner Nabil Javed said India also released 110,568 cusecs in river from Ferozepur. Water will enter Pakistan from Ganda Singhwala in Kasur in few hours, which is likely to cause low-level flood in Sutlej. This is first time in 40 years that current of over 100,000 will pass through Sutlej.

An emergency situation has been declared from Kasur to Sulemanki until Head Islam. Flood warning has been issued for Sutlej River, while its water level has reached 17 feet. Water current of 30,000 cusecs is passing through river right now.

Another current of 50,000 cusecs will travel from India through here in next few hours. District administration is on high alert. Nabil Javed directed all departments concerned to keep Provincial Disaster Management Authority informed about latest situation. Relief Commissioner ordered deputy commissioners of Kasur, Okara, Pakpattan, Bahawalnagar and Vehari to complete advance arrangements as soon as possible. He directed that staff in emergency control room should be kept on alert all time, as should disaster response teams of Rescue 1122.

He ordered that availability of machinery and other equipment should be ensured, while stocks of petrol and diesel should be available in sufficient quantity for rescue operation. Javed said evacuation of citizens from low-lying areas should be ensured as well as provision of food, clean drinking water and other facilities in flood relief camp.

Published in The Daily National Courier, July, 11 2023

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