Bahawalnagar:
The water released to the Sutlej River by India became catastrophic for Bahawalnagar on Sunday, claiming two lives, immersing thousands of acres of crops and threatening nearby populations.
The increase has begun to invade the villages, violate protective embankments and reduce access to settlements near Baba Farid Bridge and Bhukan Patan. According to rescue 1122, 928 people and hundreds of cattle have been transferred to safer areas.
The villagers reported that permanent crops, including cotton, rice, corn, vegetables and fodder, were destroyed by floods, leaving devastated farmers as their livelihoods were dragged.
High floods are expected to continue in Ganda Singh Wala during the next 48 hours, with water levels that increase above 21 feet and flow exceeding 130,000 CUSECS, which increases the risk of overflow in Ravi and Chenab rivers.
The authorities warn that the current torrential rains and multiple weather systems could further exacerbate the situation. The authorities said arrangements for rescue and relief to affected people had been made. However, the villagers complain about the lack of facilities.
“Our children are crying with hunger; help has not arrived. Cattle are dying, and there is not even enough food at home. Administration is limited to empty visits and promises.” Kashif, a local resident, told The Express PAkGazette
Another resident ismail also had a similar complaint. “The district government has completely failed. Socorro camps exist only on paper; in reality, those affected are saving their lives through self -help,” he said.
Floods have also been informed due to the water released from India to the Tawi River, a tributary of the Chenab River, which affects the posterior areas that include Gujrat, Mandi Bahauddin, Chinint and Jhang.
Nullah Dek’s overflow in Zafarwal has flooded villages, immersing thousands of rice crops and causing urgent evacuations. In Sialkot, the Chenab River is experiencing medium flooding conditions, with a maximum discharge of approximately 1,100,000 Cusecs in the marala head.
The Tawi river is on low flood on the Surkhpur bridge, while Nullah Deg overflowed in Kangra. The Ravi River remains at low flood levels, and tributaries as a base continue to flow normally.
The flood prognosis division (FFD) and the Federal Flood Commission (FFC) warned that the Chenab and Indo rivers can reach high levels of flood within 24 hours, while the Sutlej in Ganda Singh Wala will continue at high levels for several days, depending on Indian reservations.
Medium to high flows are expected in the Nullahs of Ravi and Chenab during the next 48 hours, with sudden floods in Dera Ghazi Khan and the northeast of Baluchistan. Urban floods are forecast in Lahore, Gujranwala and Rawalpindi.
Generalized torrential rains are expected in the upper basins of the Sutlej, Ravi, Chenab and Jhelum rivers, as well as in the north and northeast of Punjab from August 25 to 27. Moderate to strong rains are also expected in the upper basins of the Kabul and Indo rivers, probably causing significant increases in river flows during the next 48 hours.
From the beginning of the monsoon, the NDMA reports that 785 people have died throughout Pakistan. The authorities emphasize that protecting lives and properties remains the highest priority, even when residents continue to fight against the dual threats of increasing waters and inappropriate relief measures.
(With application entry)
