Sutlej River sees extremely high flood level as 72 Kasur villages submerged
KASUR: The Sutlej River has swelled to extremely high flood levels, submerging at least 72 villages in Kasur district and forcing thousands of residents to flee their homes. Protective embankments were breached in multiple areas, including Bheri Pir, as water levels continued to rise on Wednesday.
According to the Punjab Disaster Management Authority (PDMA), the flow of water at Head Ganda Singh barrage has surged to 253,000 cusecs, with the river’s level rising to 22.99 feet. Authorities have declared a high alert, warning that more water inflows are expected in the coming days.
📌 Read More: Punjab flood: Latest from Chenab and Ravi rivers as authorities blame India
Villages under water, people displaced
Floodwaters entered homes and agricultural fields across Kasur, leaving thousands of people stranded. Entire families were seen taking shelter under open skies after losing access to shelter and basic resources. Rescue teams, police, and local administration worked throughout the night to evacuate residents from dangerous areas.
Deputy Commissioner Kasur assured citizens that the administration would not abandon them in this crisis, vowing that “every possible help will be provided.”
Military personnel have also been deployed to support evacuation and relief efforts, with helicopters and boats used in several operations.
Punjab on high alert across rivers
PDMA Director General Irfan Kathia confirmed that 20,000 to 25,000 people have already been evacuated from low-lying areas along the Chenab and Ravi rivers. He also warned that the next 48 hours would be critical, urging people in floodplains to move to safer locations immediately.
Officials also accused India of failing to provide sufficient advance alerts about its water releases, forcing Pakistan to rely on satellite data and NDMA updates.
Record rainfall in Sialkot
Adding to the crisis, the Pakistan Meteorological Department (PMD) reported that Sialkot recorded 363.5mm of rain in the past 24 hours — the heaviest daily rainfall since 1976. Officials warned that continued monsoon activity could worsen the flood situation in Punjab.
Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz praised the rescue of 25 people trapped in Shakargarh floods, calling the operation a success. She commended rescue workers, describing them as “national heroes.”
In a statement, she emphasized that while floods are a natural disaster, the government is determined to protect lives and property at all costs. Citizens were urged to stay away from riverbanks and flood channels and to evacuate without delay.
Stay updated with MegaNews.tv for the latest on Pakistan’s dams, water storage, and flood alerts.
