Kot Momin schools shut as Punjab mulls holiday extension amid floods

LAHORE: The Punjab government is likely to extend summer school holidays in flood-hit areas of the province as floods continue to cause large-scale devastation in the province, submerging more than 72 villages and forcing water into homes.

Sources said that Punjab Education Minister Rana Sikandar is expected to announce the decision on the possible closure of schools on August 29 after assessing the risks posed by heavy rains and flooding.

According to sources, the education department is working with provincial agencies to devise a coordinated strategy for reopening schools in affected areas.

The plan will be implemented based on ground realities to ensure the safety of students and teachers.

Earlier, the Punjab government had extended summer vacations in primary schools until August 31.

Meanwhile, educational institutions in Kot Momin tehsil of Sargodha district have been closed for seven days due to flooding. A notification stated that schools will remain shut until September 2 to ensure children’s safety.

Separately, another notification said that all educational institutions in Sialkot would remain closed tomorrow (Thursday) due to floods. It directed authorities to ensure strict compliance with the order in the public interest.

Meanwhile, a very high-level flood in the Sutlej River has wreaked havoc, breaching protective embankments at several points, including Baari Peer. Floodwaters have inundated homes and farmland, leaving residents under the open sky.

Near Qadirabad Barrage, a protective embankment was blown up with explosives. Deputy Commissioner Faisal Saleem said the measure was taken to save the barrage, but more than 35 villages along the Chenab River have been submerged. Rescue and relief operations are under way.

The flood has also hit areas including Burj Dhulla, Bharj Cheema, Garhi Ghulla, Kot Raata and Thathi Baloch. According to the Gujranwala deputy commissioner, 13 relief camps have been set up in the flood-affected areas. Rescue teams and district authorities have so far shifted 5,100 people to safer locations and evacuated 1,700 animals.

An alert has been issued for possible flooding in the Ravi River, with concerns that populations in Fatyana, Mari Patan and Alam Shah may be affected.

In Kartarpur, a protective embankment on the Ravi River broke, allowing water to enter the historic Gurdwara Darbar Sahib. The complex has been badly hit by floods as rising waters of the Ravi river.

Visuals and reports from the site confirm that several feet of water have accumulated in the gurdwara’s premises, submerging four steps of the main staircase and leaving the mazaar and samadh on the ground floor underwater. At Kartarpur Darbar Sahib, several feet of water accumulat ion added to the difficulties of Sikh pilgrims, who were rescued by the army and rescue teams.

Floodwaters reached the main road from Kartarpur to Bustan Bhajna, forcing closure of the Narowal–Shakargarh road to traffic.

Meanwhile, the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) has issued an emergency alert regarding the Chenab, Ravi and Sutlej rivers. According to the National Emergencies Operation Centre, an extraordinary flood situation persists. At Marala on the Chenab River, a very high flood flow of 769,481 cusecs has been recorded, which may increase further.

At Khanki, the Chenab is carrying 705,225 cusecs, though the flow is receding. At Jassar on the Ravi River, a high flood flow of 202,200 cusecs is passing, which may rise to 229,700 cusecs. At Shahdara, the Ravi is flowing at 72,900 cusecs, posing a flood threat to low-lying areas of Shahdara, Park View and Motorway-II.

On the Sutlej River, a very high flood of 245,000 cusecs persists at Ganda Singh Wala, while at Sulemanki the current flow stands at 135,500 cusecs.

On the prime minister’s directive, the NDMA is monitoring all rescue and relief efforts. The National Emergencies Operation Centre is fully operational round the clock, coordinating with civil and military institutions. Residents along riverbanks and waterways have been urged to immediately move to safer locations.

To cope with the situation, the Punjab government on late Tuesday requisitioned the army to assist in rescue and relief operations in six districts — Sialkot, Kasur, Okara, Sargodha, Faisalabad, and Lahore. Army personnel also reached other parts of the province as the situation worsened.

On Wednesday, the peak deluge passed through Khanki, where residents living along the river were directed to evacuate their homes for safety. The National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) also warned of a serious threat to the Khanki Headworks structure.