Punjab Rivers: Floods hit Sutlej, Ravi

LAHORE: Authorities are on high alert as floodwaters in the two rivers of Punjab, the Sutlej and Ravi River have swollen, causing a breach of two embankments in Bahawalpur.

Flooding in Sutlej River has breached two embankments at Dera Bakha in Bahawalpur, submerging hundreds of acres of farmland and inflicting heavy losses on standing crops.

The breaches have also severed road links to several settlements, leaving residents stranded as authorities rushed to start evacuations.

Local officials confirmed that people in low-lying areas are shifting to safer places as the river continues to swell.

Relief and rescue teams have been deployed to assist the affected families, while temporary shelters are being set up for displaced communities.

Localities along Ravi River evacuated

Meanwhile, the Ravi River is also in low floods, after India released an additional 150,000 cusecs of water towards Pakistan.

According to Punjab Irrigation Department, a flow of 60,000 to 61,000 cusecs entered River Ravi at Jassar. By the time it reached Shahdara near Lahore, the flow had reduced to 26,000 cusecs, creating a low-level flood situation. Authorities have ordered the evacuation of nearby villages as a precautionary measure.

PDMA ISSUES HIGH ALERT

The Punjab Disaster Management Authority (PDMA) has issued a high alert, warning of rising water levels in the province’s rivers. A PDMA spokesperson said the Indus River is witnessing a sharp rise in inflows.

At Tarbela, the river is in low flood with 309,000 cusecs, while Kalabagh is facing medium-level flooding with 440,000 cusecs. At Chashma, inflows have surged to 492,000 cusecs, and at Taunsa, 489,000 cusecs have created a critical situation.

Residents of low-lying areas have been urged to remain alert and heed evacuation orders. Farmers fear massive crop losses if the situation worsens, while civil administration is on standby to respond to further emergencies

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