ISLAMABAD: Pakistan’s National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) said on Wednesday over 2,800 people had been evacuated to safer places from 18 villages submerged after India unexpectedly released excess water into River Sutlej.
Relations between neighboring Pakistan and India, already hostile, have been further strained over India’s decision this month to revoke the special status of its portion of the Kashmir region that both countries claim. Pakistan reacted with fury, cutting transport and trade links and expelling India’s ambassador in retaliation.
Islamabad says the unexpected release of water into the River Sutlej that flows from India to Pakistan is part of an attempt by New Delhi to flout a longstanding treaty between the countries.
“1220 people were evacuated from three highly affected villages,” the NDMA said in a statement. “From other locations 1613 other were also moved to safer places.”
In a separate statement, NDMA said 81 relief camps had been set up in flood-prone areas and concerned authorities directed to ensure the timely evacuation of people. Necessary precautionary measures were also in place in Bahawalpur, Bahawalnagar, Lodhran, Vehari, Pakpatan, Okara and Kasur districts, the statement said.
“Water level in the river Sutlej is increasing while all the other major rivers will remain in low to medium flood level,” the NDMA said.
According to NDMA spokesman Brig. Mukhtar Ahmed, India had released more than 204,000 cusecs of water into the Sutlej river without prior warning. Ahmed said the water level in Ganda Singh Wala village, located in Kasur district, was around 19.30 feet, with 60,340 cusecs of water inundating the area on Wednesday.
Official data provided by the NDMA shows 221 people have been killed and 165 injured in rain-related incidents in Pakistan since July this year as Pakistan continues to deal with flash floods and landslides during the monsoon season which usually runs from July to September.
India and Pakistan have long argued over water resources. A World Bank-mediated arrangement known as the Indus Water Treaty splits the Indus River and its tributaries — which 80 percent of Pakistan’s irrigated agriculture depends on — between the countries.
India, which lies upstream, threatened in February to stop sharing excess water with Pakistan after a suicide bomb attack in Kashmir killed 40 Indian paramilitary police. A Pakistan-based group accepted responsibility for the attack. Islamabad denies state complicity.
Pakistan says 18 villages submerged as India releases water into river Sutlej
Pakistan says 18 villages submerged as India releases water into river Sutlej
- Over 2800 people evacuated to safer locations, says National Disaster Management Authority
- 81 relief camps set up as 204,000 cusecs of water released into Sutlej without warning
Pakistan, UK discuss regional security, cross-border attacks as senior official visits Islamabad
- British envoy for Afghanistan Richard Lindsay’s visit comes at a time of a surge in militancy in Pakistan’s border regions
- Pakistani diplomat says both sides reviewed broader security challenges, emphasized coordination to address ‘shared concerns’
ISLAMABAD: Pakistani and British officials have discussed regional security challenges and cross-border attacks during talks in Islamabad, a Pakistani diplomat said on Tuesday, during a visit of the United Kingdom’s Afghanistan envoy, Richard Lindsay, to the Pakistani capital.
Pakistan and the UK regularly cooperate on counterterrorism and security, with a focus on intelligence-sharing to combat militant activity. Lindsay’s visit comes at a time of a rise in militancy in Pakistan’s western provinces, which border Afghanistan.
Mohammad Sadiq, Pakistan’s special representative for Afghanistan, said the discussions in Islamabad focused on the regional security situation, particularly the urgent challenge posed by cross-border attacks.
“We also exchanged views on the latest regional security developments and broader security challenges,” he said on X. “We emphasized the importance of continued cooperation and coordination to address shared concerns and promote regional stability.”
Islamabad frequently accuses Afghanistan of allowing its soil and India of backing militant groups, such as the Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) and the Balochistan Liberation Army (BLA), for attacks against Pakistan. Kabul and New Delhi deny this.
In recent years, Pakistan and the UK have engaged with each other on counterterrorism and cross-border crimes as part of bilateral cooperation.
Both sides held the second round of the Pakistan-UK Counter Terrorism Dialogue in London in February last year, reviewing global and regional threats and exchanging best practices. Over the years, armed forces of both countries have also maintained close cooperation, particularly in counterterrorism efforts and professional military training.
