Punjab Prime Minister Maryam Nawaz issued orders to evacuate people who live in areas around rivers and casualties ahead of heavy rains and flood predictions throughout the province.
Punjab is on a maximum alert for floods before the arrival of a new monozonic spell when the provincial government evacuated thousands of people along the Sutlej River, as the river rose to a high level of flooding in Ganda Singh Wala, registering a dangerous flow of 129,866 Cusecs.
A statement from the Office of the Principal Minister said that CM Maryam issued orders “to guarantee the timely evacuation of the population in view of [the] Arrival of flood torrents ”.
She ordered access to “all possible resources” to avoid the loss of lives, the relocation of the population of rivers and low areas to safe places, and rapid measures for the timely relocation of cattle in safe places, he added.
The main minister ordered the authorities to “monitor the situation of the flood of the Sutlej River and other rivers,” they made arrangements for “accommodation, food and medical treatment” and provide “adequate temporary accommodation” to the victims of the flood, read in the statement.
He also ordered the immediate provision of vaccines with snake bites in the areas affected by floods, he added.
The statement also said that the District Administration, Rescue 1122 and other departments in Kasur, Pakpattan, Taunsa Sharif and other areas affected by floods were ordered to remain “alert and vigilant.”
Meanwhile, the Ministry of Climate Change said in X that heavy rains in Gujranwala, Gujrat and Lahore divisions were expected in the next 48 hours, “with a high risk of riberous and urban floods.” He advised citizens to “remain alert, follow security precautions and remain prepared during this period.”
Early, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs confirmed the flood warnings of India to Pakistan, but emphasized that the alerts were enrupted through diplomatic channels instead of the Indo Aguas Commission, as stipulated under the Indo Water Treaty (IWT).
Last week, the District Administrations in Punjab began to evacuate those affected by the floods of the villages flooded along the Sutlej and Indus rivers, which were experiencing flooding from low -to -medium level.
‘High flood level’ reported on the Sutlej River: PDMA alert
The Water Commission of the Indus of Pakistan reported “high flood level” on the Sutlej River at 10 am, according to an alert of the Punjab Provincial Disaster Management Authority (PDMA).
The alert issued measures that urge the district administrations through Punjab to maintain a “high level of disaster preparation and mitigation.”
Measures include effective coordination and response, activation of flood monitoring and early warning systems, and accurate and timely dissemination of information on security measures and evacuation plans.
The district administrations were also asked to guarantee the “prior placement of heavy machinery in motion of the Earth at the strangulation points/regions at risk, and the strengthening of embankments and inspection of flood protection structures.”
They were also advised to display additional personnel and resources, guarantee the necessary equipment and transport and establish relief camps that provide essential services, reserve medicines and medical supplies and relocate cattle in higher areas of land and safe.
PMD issues flood warning for Chenab, Ravi
Separately, the Pakistan Meteorology Department (PMD) issued a flood warning for the Chenab River and the Ravi River during the next 48 hours.
In his climate warning, he said that “moderate rain has begun on the upper basins of the Eastern rivers,” and added that the intensity of the rain “would probably increase significantly.”
“Consequently, the flows in the Chenab River in Marala, Khunki and Qadir Abad, along with the Nullahs and tributaries of Chenab and Ravi, can increase the flood levels high to very high during [the] The next 48 hours, ”said the notice.
The PMD said that the intensity of the flood in the Ravi River depended on the “liberations of Madhupur Barge in India.” “However, due to high to very high rain, Madhupur Barge River and in the Ravi River Nullahs basins, medium to high flood conditions can be developed in the river.”
He also said that urban floods were expected in the divisions of Lahore, Gujranwala and Gujrat during the next 48 hours due to the high to high flashing rains.
“It is also reported that Indian deposits in Ravi and Sutlej are already at danger,” said the PMD, urging the authorities to take the necessary measures to avoid any unpleasant situation during the forecast period.
