Army alerted as Punjab faces severe floods following India dam release

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The National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) has warned that Lahore and other parts of Punjab are at risk of “high -ranking” floods, as heavy rainfall from two dams and the release of India’s water has seized the rivers and forced the authorities to receive military assistance in six districts.

In recent weeks, the two countries have suffered heavy monsoon rains and floods.

The release of additional water from India’s dams is at risk of further flooding of Punjab province, which works as the country’s bread basket and has half of its 240 million people.

With the release of water from India, the relentless rains have pushed the rivers into a dangerous area, and forced the authorities to raise the alarm.

As a result, the flood waters increased the Ravi, Chenab and Sutlej, which violated their reports in Narol, Sialkot, and Shakirgarh that in Zafarwal, a portion of the Hanjali Bridge fell under pressure from Nola deck, and dozens of villages.

‘Extreme’ situation

The NDMA, in its latest consultation on Wednesday, called the situation “extreme” and warned that weaker areas were already in danger.

Ravi, is rapidly swollen in Jasar, has taken 170,000 cusecs of water and is likely to increase 250,000 cusecs in the morning – the volume that can overwhelm the back and accelerate the nearby settlements.

Chenab in Marala, which is always a major flashpoint during the high flow of monsoon, could see the amazing 690,000 cusecs, while the Sutlej located in Ganda Singhwala is already rioting with 245,000 cusecs – just with more.

Rescue officials are entering for preparation. The NDMA has called on families in the lowly areas to go to a safe land, and warn that waiting now can endanger life.

In Shahdara and along with the motorway 2, Ravi is ringing rapidly, which has forced people to prepare for the possibility of evacuation.

Officials are also telling citizens that they are in touch with local aid teams unless it is necessary.

“The rivers are still unforgivable,” an official said, emphasizing whether the next few hours will show whether there are safety walls – or to the extent that the palaces will have to be cleaned on a short notice.

India released 200,000 additional Cusecs in Ravi and 100,000 cusecs expected in Chenab have raised high flood concerns in the next 48 hours.

Rescue teams continued to replace residents trapped by boats in the river adjoining areas, while neither Allah Beni nor Allah Bustern of Shakirgarh sank roads and several villages.

The army demanded rescue efforts

The provincial government has demanded the army to help the civilian authorities as the flood waters are interrupted in six districts, including Lahore, Kasur, Sialkot, Faisalabad, Narwal and Okara.

Officials said the district administration in the affected areas has sought immediate military assistance to protect lives and support work.

Rescue 1122, civil defense, police and local administration are already on the ground, but the crisis scale has reduced their resources.

The department of Punjab has formally requested the Federal Ministry of Interior to deploy troops in six districts.

‘The next 48 hours critical’

The Provincial Disaster Management Authority (PDMA) said late on Tuesday that India had opened all the doors of its Thane Dam on the Ravi River.

The Indian Water Resources Ministry did not immediately respond to the request for comment.

The announcement comes a day after Pakistan received a second warrior from India, which intends to leave water from the rapidly filling Madhupur Dam. Both dams are located on the river Ravi, which flows from Indian Punjab to Pakistan.

“The flood situation is serious,” said Irfan Ali Katia, an authority of the authority in Punjab. “The next 48 hours will be important.”

Earlier, a spokesman for Pakistan’s National Disaster Management Authority had said that a review of its Thane Dam satellite pictures showed that it was 97 % full and could release water at any time.

When India is very full, India releases water from its usual dams, as the two countries share the rivers. Punjab province was divided between the two countries when they gained independence in 1947.

Emergency and Rescue Operations

Prime Minister Shahbaz Sharif, who chaired a high level meeting on the flood situation, was informed that more than 174,000 people have been removed from the submerged districts of Punjab after the flood of the Sutlej River.

He instructed the authorities to speed up rescue operations, especially in the flood -hit districts along the river, and ensure timely supply of food, medicines and tents.

The NDMA chairman was ordered to maintain close harmony with PDMA.

It states that in Punjab province, Ravi, Sutlej and Chenab – are evacuating the authorities from hundreds of villages around the three rivers and the evacuation is ongoing, with the help of the army’s troops.

Officials said that the three rivers are still flooding more than medium -sized, though further heavy rainfall is expected in both Punjab and Pakistani Kashmir in the next 12 to 24 hours.

After visiting Pasrur City near the Indian border, Deputy Commissioner Saba Asghar Ali said that sixteen villages are currently in danger of flooding.

Rescue camps in the area have been arranged for food, medicines, washrooms and other needs, he said.

“Due to climate change, the East River is facing heavy rainfall over the past,” said Kazim Raza Pirzada, Minister of Punjab Irrigation Province.

Since the beginning of the monsoon season in late June, the death toll due to floods in the country is now 802, only half of them in this month. This month, an estimated 68 people have been killed in Indian Kashmir, including eight on Tuesday.

Gilgit -Baltistan has faced rapidly melting in the region, while the southern city of Karachi was partially flooded.

– with additional input from Reuters