Floods in Punjab: 200,000 Evacuated as Rivers Swell

Lahore, August 26 (PTI) - Around 200,000 people have been moved to safer locations from flood-prone areas across Pakistan's Punjab province as of Tuesday, amid warnings of rising water levels in most of the eastern rivers. Indus, Chenab, Ravi, and Sutlej rivers are experiencing low to high flooding due to intense monsoon rains in the catchment areas, with more rain expected in the coming 48 hours, informed Punjab Emergency Services Rescue 1122 spokesperson, Farooq Ahmad.

An evacuation operation is underway in regions like Kasur, Okara, Pakpattan, Bahawalnagar, Vehari, and Narowal, with 25,000 individuals being moved to temporary shelters from these affected areas. According to a senior official from Punjab Emergency Services, around 200,000 people have been evacuated, with 175,000 relocating on their own and 25,000 rescued by government agencies through boats, the official said.

Hundreds of houses have suffered damage due to the floods, Ahmad stated. A high alert was issued in Kasur, Okara, Pakpattan, Bahawalnagar, Vehari, and Narowal following a flood alert from India. The Provincial Disaster Management Authority (PDMA) cited heavy rains as the cause for the high flood alert in Punjab. There is a risk of high to very high flooding in the Chenab, Ravi, and Sutlej rivers, with urban flooding anticipated in Rawalpindi, Lahore, and Gujranwala divisions.

A high-level flood warning has been declared at the Harike point on the Sutlej River. The Indus River faces a low flood scenario at Kalabagh and Chashma, while flow remains normal at Tarbela and Taunsa. A high flood situation exists at Ganda Singh Wala on the Sutlej River, with medium flooding at Sulemanki. Medium flooding is noted at Marala and Khanki on the Chenab River, PDMA reported.

India communicated flood warnings to Pakistan via diplomatic channels on humanitarian grounds, marking the first known contact since a conflict in May. Following an attack on April 22, India enforced punitive measures against Pakistan, including suspending the Indus Waters Treaty of 1960, typically used for exchanging flood alerts through the Indus Water Commission.

The Punjab PDMA's alert on Monday indicated a “high flood level” on the Sutlej River. The Pakistan Meteorological Department issued a flood warning for the Chenab and Ravi Rivers on Monday. The National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) forecasts heavy rains across Pakistan until August 30.

The NDMA has instructed institutions and emergency services to maintain vigilance, advising citizens to avoid flood-prone regions and unnecessary travel, while also urging adherence to safety instructions broadcasted through alerts.