ISLAMABAD: Punjab Relief Commissioner Nabeel Javed on Sunday warned of an “extremely high level” of flooding in the rivers of Chenab, Ravi and Sutlej by Sept. 9 due to upcoming heavy rains, as the death toll from deadly deluges in the province climbed to 56.
Heavy monsoon rains and excess water released by Indian dams have caused Punjab’s rivers to swell, triggering floods in the province since late August. At least 56 have been killed, over 4,100 villages impacted and over 4.1 million people have been affected, according to Provincial Disaster Management Authority (PDMA) Director-General Irfan Ali Kathia.
Punjab is also home to half of the country’s 240 million people and accounts for much of its wheat and rice production, creating food security concerns as initial estimates suggest 1.3 million acres of agricultural land have been inundated in the province amid the flooding of the three rivers. Nationwide, the NDMA said 907 people have been killed in rain and flood-related incidents since the monsoon began on Jun. 26.
Pakistan’s National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) has warned a 10th spell of monsoon rains is likely to trigger heavy rains in Punjab and other parts of the country till Sept. 9.
“By Sept.9, there is a risk of extremely high flooding in rivers Ravi, Sutlej, and Chenab,” Javed was quoted as saying in a report by the PDMA.
“Due to rains in upper regions, there is a risk of unusual increases in river flows,” he added.
He added that all relevant departments of the provincial government are on alert, and all available resources are being utilized to protect the lives and property of citizens.
PUNJAB RIVERS SWELL
The PDMA shared that flooding in Punjab’s rivers was still continuing, adding that river Sutlej at Ganda Singh Wala village is experiencing an “extremely high flood level” with a water flow of 311,000 cusecs. At Sulemanki, it said the Sutlej river is facing a high flood level with a water flow of 138,000 cusecs.
At Marala, river Chenab has recorded a water level of 84,000 cusecs while at Trimmu Headworks, the water flow has reached 543,000 cusecs, which was categorized at a high flood level.
The PDMA said that river Ravi at Jassar location was at a “low” flood level, with its water flow recorded at 56,000 cusecs. At Shahdara, the water was recorded at a high flood level of 93,000 cusecs.
“At Balloki Headworks, river Ravi is at an extremely high flood level with a water flow of 148,000 cusecs,” the PDMA said.
OVER 4.1 MILLION IMPACTED
Giving a breakdown of the relief activities, Kathia said over 4.1 million people have been impacted by the floods since late August and authorities had set up over 400 temporary relief camps. Kathia said around 60,000-70,000 people are staying in these relief camps around the clock.
The PDMA official said some of these relief camps were being dismantled as people were being rehabilitated to their homes.
“Around 500 medical camps have served approximately 175,000 individuals,” Kathia said. “Rescue operations in Multan, Muzaffargarh and Rajanpur continue vigorously.”
He said a total of over 20,73,048 people have been rescued, while 1,522,452 animals have been shifted to safer locations across Punjab.
POWER OUTAGES
Floods in Pakistan’s most populous province have triggered power outages and left many without electricity.
As per a report shared by the Power Division, out of 513 feeders affected by the floods, 254 have been fully restored and 253 have been temporarily restored.
The Power Division said that out of a total of 1,641,859 affected consumers, electricity has been restored for 1,361,641.
“For the remaining 276,745 consumers, electricity restoration remains a priority,” the Power Division said.
