Punjab Rangers and Rescue 1122 personnel on Monday conducted a joint rescue operation to evacuate people stranded in Shakargarh tehsil after the water in the Ravi river rose to dangerous levels after India released excess water.
At least 223 people, mostly women and children, were brought to safety while a rescue team of Punjab Rangers is present in the border area to deal with any untoward situation.
In the affected border village of Shakargarh’s Jalala district, crops were also submerged by the floodwaters coming from India. Crops were submerged while people engaged in paddy cultivation were trapped.
Pakistan’s eastern neighbor released at least 185,000 cusecs of water into the Ravi River on Sunday. As a result, excess water from India reached Kartarpur Jasir via Ninakot and is expected to reach Lahore via Shahdara in the next 48 hours. Meanwhile, there is flooding in Ravi River, Nala Ben and other tributaries.
According to the authorities, the administration is on alert in the districts adjacent to the river Ravi and Chenab, while relief camps have been established in various districts in view of the floods.
According to the Provincial Disaster Management Authority (PDMA), there is moderate flood in Chenab along with Marala, Shakargarh and Nala Bain, low level flood in Khanki and Kadirabad in Chenab, while water in other rivers including Ravi is low. The flow is normal.
The flow of water in all rivers, barrages, dams and canals is being continuously monitored. Meanwhile, the control room is monitoring all the situation in Punjab.
Caretaker Punjab Chief Minister Mohsin Naqvi said on Sunday that there is no flood in the province. He further said that last year India released as much water in Ravi which was 31000 cusecs when it reached Lahore.
Talking about the flood related arrangements in Dera Ghazi Khan, the Chief Minister said that the preparations are complete. However, he added, settlements should not have been built within the river, stressing that people living on government lands would have to be evicted.
NDMA Advisory
The National Disaster Management Authority has also issued an update on the current flood situation, stating that according to the latest flow data from the Pakistan Commissioner for Indus Waters (PCIW) and Flood Forecasting Division (FFD), the Akhnoor is on the rise. Facing the flow.
However, in the next 12 hours there will be an increase in flow in Marala which will rise to medium to high flow level.
According to NDMA, Marala’s maximum level capacity is 1,100,000 cusecs, while its current level is moderate at 170,000 cusecs. Water is likely to increase by 250,000 cusecs.
این ای او سی مون سون اپڈیٹ:
— NDMA PAKISTAN (@ndmapk) July 9, 2023
مختلف موسمیاتی ماڈلز کیمطابق شمال/شمال مشرقی پنجاب بشمول لاہور، سیالکوٹ نارووال میں بڑے پیمانے پر گرج چمک کیساتھ شدید بارش کا امکان ہے۔دریائے چناب، راوی ستلج اور منسلک نالوں بھمبر،ایک،دیگ،بین پلکھو و بسنتر میں درمیانے سے اونچے درجے کا سیلاب متوقع ہے. pic.twitter.com/fPZlOxSQ50
The NDMA has suggested that low-lying areas should be identified in advance so that the situation can be alerted if the need arises.
“Emergency water regulation to manage excess flow should be implemented immediately to manage water through the link canal,” the authority added.
According to NDMA, monitoring and updates on the developing situation are being shared with local communities and concerned authorities at all levels.
“Line departments, rescue 1122 and armed forces should be kept on standby for immediate response to any untoward situation,” the advisory said.
PM Shehbaz orders timely, safe evacuation
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif also appreciated the efforts of Rangers and Rescue 1122 personnel for the timely evacuation and relief of the victims in Shakargarh.
In a statement issued by the Prime Minister’s Office, Prime Minister Shehbaz said, “The lives of dozens of people, including women and children, were saved by the timely help of the rangers and rescuers.”
He added that the entire nation, including himself, pays tribute to the “dutiful sons of Pakistan”.
The Prime Minister has directed the rescue agencies to make fool-proof arrangements to deal with the possible flood situation in Ravi, Chenab and Sutlej.
He also directed to create awareness among the people in the potentially affected areas, while reiterating their preparations for timely and safe evacuation.
