The National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) has reported “exceptionally high floods” at the Shahdara barrage on the Ravi River and at Ganda Singh Wala on the Sutlej.

 

According to NDMA data, as of 6:00 a.m. today, the water level at Shahdara was recorded at 213,440 cusecs with a “falling flow,” while Ganda Singh Wala stood at 261,053 cusecs with a “steady flow.”

 

Meanwhile, the water level at Balloki on the Ravi showed a steady flow, while Qadirabad on the Chenab was in “high flood” with a “falling flow.”

 

Heavy rains are expected from August 29 to September 2: PMD

 

As the flood is already wreaking havoc in major parts of Punjab, the Pakistan Meteorological Department (PMD) announced fresh downpours across the country. According to the department, a westerly wind system is entering the country, under which heavy rains are expected from August 29 to September 2. 

 

Reports, citing rescue officials, claimed that flooding in the Sutlej River led an embankment near Jhangra Sharqi, Bahawalpur, to collapse, adding that hundreds of acres of crops in riverine areas have been submerged, while several houses were also inundated. 

 

Meanwhile, the irrigation department has reported a sharp rise at Head Islam in Bahawalpur, where inflow has now crossed 60,000 cusecs. 

 

Punjab Provincial Department Management Authority (DMA) Director General (DG) Irfan Ali Kathia has said that floods in Punjab have claimed the lives of at least 20 people, mostly in drowning-related incidents.

 

Kathia, while speaking to the media, stated that the majority of the deaths occurred due to drowning and were reported mostly in the Gujranwala division, adding that no loss of life was reported due to any negligence in rescue services.

 

He further announced that the Punjab government will give one million rupees to each victim’s family as compensation, adding that they made every possible effort to rescue people, whether via helicopters or boats.

 

“There is heavy to very heavy rainfall expected in Gujarat, Gujranwala, Lahore,” he said, warning that urban flooding is likely to happen.