ISLAMABAD: There is no end in sight to flood situation in the country as persistent monsoon rains and water released by India into rivers has made things even worse on Monday.
River Sutlej claims life of child at Arifwala
Raging River Sutlej at Arifwala has claimed the life of a 14-year-old boy besides washing away two protective embankments and developing cracks on Bahawalnagar road.
Similarly the river continues to wreak havoc at Chishtian in south Punjab as it has washed away a protective embankment besides inundating several localities and crops sown over thousands of acres of land forcing people from their homes in search of safe places.
Area residents have complained that nobody from the administration has come to rescue them, and they have to safe locations on their own.
They have appealed to Punjab Chief Minister Mohsin Naqvi to take notice of the situation.
River Indus bursts its banks at Karor Lal Esan
Hundreds of acres of precious land was flooded after water from River Indus spilled over into nearby localities at Karor Lal Isan. The situation has forced people to move to safe places. Locals have said that the situation is getting worse by the day. Â
On the other hand, rising water level in River Indus at Qadirpur in Ghotki (upper Sindh) has set off alarm bells ringing as Deputy Commissioner (DC) Muhammad Usman Abdullah has asked the concerned officials to remain prepared in order to deal with any emergency. Â Â
The DC has cancelled the leaves of all irrigation department staff and directed the executive engineer irrigation and director water board to keep an eye on the Bacha embankment.
He has also asked the people living in the vicinity of the river to move to safe locations along with their cattle immediately.
Currently 400,000 cusecs of water is passing through the river at Ghotki. River Indus, which is in medium flood at Obaro, has flooded 20 more villages of katcha area. The DC has said that the administration is fully prepared to deal with any emergency.
River Ravi in low flood at Sarai Mughal
Although River Ravi is in low flood at Sarai Mughal. But the water level is rising and has already inundated neighbouring localities.
The inflow of water in the river has been recorded at 74,270 cusecs while the discharge at 58,870 cusecs. Rescue 1122 staff have been put on high alert in order to deal with any untoward situation.
Floodwater washes away newly-built road in AJK
On the other hand, a road built recently in Azad Jammu and Kashmir’s Havelian district at the cost of Rs60 million has been washed away by floodwater. The situation has forced area residents to carry patients on their shoulders.
They have said that floodwater has severed their link with Kahuta. Locals have appealed to the government to take notice of the situation.
Fears of flood in Jafarabad
Heavy monsoon showers lashing Jafarabad, Balochistan for the last five days have flooded both urban and rural areas.
Rainwater has even entered people’s homes, shops, DHQ hospital at Dera Allah Yar, government offices and inundated a railway track.
The situation has forced people from their homes.
The Met Department, on the other hand, has forecast more monsoon rains for different parts of the country.
PDMA predicts more monsoon rains in Punjab from August
The Provincial Disaster Management Authority (PDMA) Monday issued a weather advisory predicting light and heavy rains in various cities of Punjab from the first week of August.
According to the PDMA’s latest forecasts, several upper cities including Lahore, Rawalpindi, Murree, Sahiwal, and Sialkot are likely to experience rainfall throughout the month of August.
Recent rainfall in the region has brought some relief to water reservoirs as the Mangala Dam has reached 84% capacity, while the Tarbela Dam is currently holding at 85%.
The PDMA spokesperson warned that over the next 24 hours, there is a possibility of rain in Rawalpindi, Multan, DG Khan, Bahawalpur, Gujranwala, Sargodha, Faisalabad, and Sialkot.
Officials also issued a warning of the potential risk of flooding in the Jhelum River near Mangala between August 4 and 6 – urging residents living near the riverbanks to take necessary precautions.
On the other hand, the river Sutlej experienced an increase in water flow and level. Consequently, the Saldira dam of Pakpattan and the Kale Chishtian barrage were unable to withstand the pressure, leading to their breaking.
This unfortunate event resulted in the loss of thousands of hectares of crops for approximately 50 communities.
As the water levels continued to rise, rescue teams are working to extricate individuals trapped in the floodwaters.
