ISLAMABAD: India has alerted Pakistan of a high flood risk in the Sutlej River, warning of dangerous water levels downstream at Harike and Ferozepur. Authorities in Pakistan have issued alerts to provincial governments and disaster agencies as floodwaters wreak havoc across Punjab.
In Burewala, a flood wave of 190,000 cusecs has destroyed embankments, inundating Sahuka and devastating thousands of acres of cotton, rice, maize, and sesame crops. Farmers face catastrophic losses as their livelihoods are washed away. The National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) has forecast fresh heavy rains from Monday to Wednesday, likely to worsen conditions in Rawalpindi, Islamabad, Murree, Jhelum, Gujrat, Gujranwala, Hafizabad, and several other Punjab districts.
The crisis has already left more than 2 million people affected, with at least 33 reported dead and thousands of villages submerged. At Head Trimmu, water flow reached 479,000 cusecs after India released water into the Chenab River. Floodwaters have submerged 200 villages in Jhang, while Multan braces for potential flooding tonight as authorities prepare emergency measures, including breaching roads to divert water.
Meanwhile, rising levels at Head Qadirabad have submerged 140 villages in Phalia, while rescue teams continue evacuations in Kabirwala. Water levels in the Ravi River have begun to decline at Head Balloki, though Shahdara remains at moderate flood risk.
Authorities urge residents in low-lying areas to remain alert and avoid flood-prone zones as the situation continues to evolve.
