LAHORE (Dunya News) - Provincial Disaster Management Authority (PDMA) Director General, Irfan Ali Kathia, has warned that over 70,000 cusecs of water may flow into Pakistan from India in the coming days, raising concerns of further flooding.
Addressing a press conference in Lahore, he said widespread rainfall has been recorded across the region, with Gujrat and Mandi Bahauddin receiving the heaviest showers in the last 24 hours. “At Ganda Singh Wala, water levels have slightly reduced after a dam broke in India, but high floods continue at Head Sulemanki and Head Islam,” he noted.
He revealed that at Head Marala, 175,000 cusecs are currently passing through, while Chiniot witnessed a peak of over 800,000 cusecs, later reducing to around 650,000. To save Jhang city, embankments had to be breached, preventing large-scale urban devastation.
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According to PDMA, a massive flow of 830,000 cusecs is expected at Trimu, while Ravi and Sutlej rivers continue to swell, threatening downstream areas. At Head Muhammad Wala, where waters of Ravi and other rivers merge, flows of 700,000–800,000 cusecs could force further embankment breaches.
DG PDMA said that precautionary measures are being taken in the public’s interest, with rescue and relief operations already underway on an unprecedented scale in Punjab’s history. More than 800 boats and 13,000 rescue workers, aided by the Pakistan Army, are engaged in relief efforts.
“So far, floods have impacted 966,000 people along the Chenab, 232,000 along the Ravi, and 313,000 along the Sutlej. Hundreds of relief camps have been set up across affected districts, and around 6,000–7,000 people in Lahore alone are being provided food and shelter,” he added.
He confirmed that at least 30 people have died so far, mostly due to accidental causes. “Despite the federal government’s efforts, no proper information-sharing mechanism exists with India. However, after the rescue operations, comprehensive rehabilitation measures will be taken to support flood victims,” Kathia assured.