High to exceptionally high flood alerts have been issued for Chenab, Ravi and Sutlej rivers, streams in northeast Punjab and hill torrents of Dera Ghazi Khan.
Nearly 150,000 people in different districts have moved to safer places, the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) officials revealed.
According to the Provincial Disaster Management Authority (PDMA) of Punjab, water levels in rivers and streams are rising gradually due to persistent rains over the catchment areas.
“There is a risk of high to exceptionally high flooding in the Chenab, Ravi and Sutlej rivers,” said PDMA spokesperson on Monday. Along with the said rivers, it added, streams in northeast Punjab will also face flooding during the next 24 hours. Hill torrents of Dera Ghazi Khan will also face flash flooding .
At present, Sujlej is at an exceptionally high flood level at Ganda Singhwala with a water flow of 1,88,000 cusecs. Ravi faces high flood level at Jassar and low at Shahdara. The River Chenab faces medium flood level at Marala. A low flood level is hitting River Indus at Kalabagh and Chashma. The water level is gradually rising in all the rivers.
Due to the widespread rains, authorities warn of urban flooding. They say Lahore, Narowal, Sialkot, Gujranwala can face flooding. They predict urban flooding in Gujrat, Jhelum and Mandi Bahauddin.
PDMA Alert:
PDMA Punjab has put commissioners and deputy commissioners across Punjab on alert to cope with any emergency. It also put local government, agriculture and irrigation on alert. Similarly, PDMA also issues alert to health, forest, livestock and transport departments. The authority direct them to complete arrangements and be ready to cope with any emergency during rains and high flood levels.
PDMA Director General Irfan Ali Kathia directed the relevant officers and departments to complete all arrangements in light of the instructions of the Chief Minister of Punjab.
Relief Commissioner Punjab Nabeel urged the public to shift to safer places. He said that flood relief camps have been set up with all the required facilities, including food and medicines. He urged people to take necessary precautions. “Avoid going close to streams. Special care should be given to the children”, he said, adding that people should avoid visiting Murree and Galiyat due to high risks of landslides.
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