Lahore:
The flood waters through Punjab reached alarming levels on Tuesday after India has published additional discharges in the Sutlej rivers and delighted, while the persistent monsoon rains intensified the crisis, putting millions of lives in danger and raising fears of a super flood in the Sindh.
According to the Division of Flood Forecast (FFD), the Sutlej of Ganda Singh Wala recorded more than 350,000 water records – the highest level since 1955.
At Sulemanki, the flow was measured at 124,000 brackets, while Islam Headworks said nearly 86,000 cusers. The Ravi also attended a dangerous increase, with water levels recorded at 54,000 brackets in Jassar, 60,000 in Shahdara, 137,000 in Balloki and 107,000 in Sidhnai.
The Chenab river bore more than 516,000 brackets at Head Trimmu, constituting a growing threat to the low areas. Water levels with the blood -headed head increased quickly, endangering Pir Mahal and Khanewal, while traffic was suspended in the head Muhammad Wala in the middle of warnings that the protective embankment may have to deliberately be violated to alleviate the pressure.
The province of disaster management (PDMA) said that large dams were approaching critical thresholds. The Mangla dam has reached 82% of its capacity, while Tarbela is already filled to the brim. On the other side of the border, the Bhakra dam of India is 84%, PONG at 98%and 92%, which raises fears that all additional versions can dangerously degenerate the pressure downstream in Pakistan.
The National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) confirmed that on September 1st, a massive wave of 550,000 CUSECs had passed by Trimmu after the protective embankments were deliberately violated at two points to facilitate a previous increase of 885,000 CUSCS.
The flow is now heading to Panjnad Headworks, which has a design capacity of 650,000 Cusecases, and is expected to receive between 570,000 and 600,000 crafts by September 3. On September 5, 80,000 to 100,000 Sutlej brackets should increase the total flow between 650,000 and 700,000 CUDEC. The thrust will then move to the Guddu dam by September 6, followed by the Sukkur and Kotri dams, before flowing in the Oman Sea around September 12 or 13.
PDMA Director General Irfan Ali Kathia said more than a million people have so far been moved to safe areas, while 41 people have lost their lives since August 26. He described the ongoing emergency and evacuation efforts as the largest rescue operation in the history of the province.
Punjab rescue commissioner Nabeel Javed said more than 3,200 villages and more than 2.4 million people had been affected. He said 395 rescue camps, 392 medical camps and 336 veterinary camps were installed in areas struck by floods, while nearly a million people and more than 708,000 livestock were moved to safer places.
The Pakistan meteorological department warned against new heavy rains over the next 24 to 48 hours, warning that water pressure should increase in the lower industry and southern Punjab. The authorities have expressed their fear that the situation could not degenerate into a super flood in the Sindh, threatening millions more in the coming days.
In southern Punjab, Chenab’s overvoltage entered the Multan district, where local authorities weigh the embankments that have endeavored to protect the city.
In the Sindh, low -level floods were reported in the dams of Sukkur, Kotri and Guddu, although many residents of the “Katcha” river areas are resistant to evacuation orders. The authorities warn that the refusal to leave the areas could complicate emergency efforts if the level of rivers continues to increase.
The FFD indicated that the Tarbela dam has reached its full capacity, while the mangla is filled with 83%. The Rawal dam opened its spills as the levels approached the danger mark. The authorities said that more precipitation was expected until September 3, with forecasts pointing to high flows in the Ravi, Sutlej and Chenab rivers.
Meanwhile, the National Emergency Operation Center (NEOC) warned against any urban floods in the cities of Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK) and a risk of landslides in hilly regions due to the precipitation expected in the following 12 to 24 hours.
According to the meteorological notice issued by the NDMA NDMA, strong generalized precipitation are expected in the next 12 to 24 hours on various parts of the AJK, notably Mirpur, Dadyal, Neelum Valley, Bagh, Kotli, Rawalakot, Muzaffarabad, Sharda, Haveli and the surrounding areas.
The NDMA has urged residents in vulnerable regions to exercise extreme caution near streams and flooded roads, avoid unnecessary trips, adhere to safety protocols, follow official directives, avoid contact with electric lines and water -full areas during strong precipitation in progress.
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has ordered the competent authorities to speed up rescue and rehabilitation activities in the areas affected by the floods of Punjab and Sindh.
The Prime Minister published the directives during the presidency of a meeting in Beijing to examine the situation of the floods and the rescue operations in Pakistan, in temporarily break his other commitments.
During the meeting, the president of the NDMA, the chief secretaries of Punjab, Sindh and Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa, as well as officials of various institutions concerned, informed the Prime Minister of current floods and the progress of rescue operations.
The Prime Minister ordered the National Highway Authority (NHA) and the Ministry of Energy to take immediate measures to restore damaged communication and electricity transmission systems affected by floods.
He underlined full cooperation between the federal government, provincial governments and all the institutions concerned to relieve affected families, move them to safe areas and the rehabilitation of damaged infrastructure.
The Prime Minister asked the authorities to concentrate, in particular on rescue and recovery operations in the areas affected by the floods of Punjab and Sindh.
He ordered the President of the NDMA to maintain full coordination PDMA and provide all the necessary support for provincial governments.
The Prime Minister also ordered the rapid search and the restoration of citizens who have disappeared due to the floods.
During the meeting, the Prime Minister was informed that the authorities continuously monitor high flood levels in the Ravi, Chenab and Sutlej rivers. “The regulation of dams and dams is underway in response to the increase in water levels in these rivers.”
Specific locations with high or in danger flood levels include Trimmu, Balloki, Sidhnai, GS Wala and Sulemanki along the Chenab, Ravi and Sutlej rivers, the meeting was informed. “The NDMA works in close collaboration with provincial administrations and disaster management authorities on these sites.”
(With application input)
