High flood alert issued for River Ravi after India releases water

LAHORE: The Provincial Disaster Management Authority (PDMA) has issued a flood alert for the Ravi River after India released approximately 185,000 cusecs of water from the Ujh Barrage.

Approximately 65,000 cusecs of water has arrived in Pakistan, with more expected to be on its way within the next 20 to 24 hours.

According to the flood lim­its of Ravi River basin, less flooding is expected in the plains.

The PDMA has said that the dis­tricts connected to the Ravi River should remain on alert for the emer­gency situation.

Rescue, relief opera­tion teams should be ready with ma­chinery, while relief camps should be established in low lying areas.

Every year during monsoon season India deliberately releases water into Pakistani rivers without issuing notice, which creates a flood situation at the local level.

According to PDMA statistics, India last year had released 173,000 cusecs of water. About one-third of the released wa­ter, or 60,000 cusecs, reached the dam, flooding the lower level in River Ravi.

Meanwhile, the Met Office has predicted rains with strong winds and thundershowers in Lahore, Rawalpindi, Jhelum, At­tock, Chakwal, Narowal, Sialkot and Gujranwala today.

High level flood­ing in the canals connected to rivers Chenab and Ravi is also expected during the next 48 hours, besides me­dium to high flood is expected at basin of Ravi River, the Met Office said.