The National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) has warned that Lahore and other parts of Punjab face a “very high to exceptionally high” flood threat, as heavy rains and India’s release of water from two dams swelled rivers and led authorities to seek army assistance in six districts.
Both nations have been hit by intense monsoon rains and flooding in recent weeks.
The release of excess water from India’s dams threatens to further flood parts of Punjab province, which serves as the country’s breadbasket and is home to half of its 240 million people.
Relentless rains coupled with water releases from India have pushed the rivers into dangerous territory, forcing authorities to raise the alarm.
As a result, floodwaters surged in the Ravi, Chenab, and Sutlej, causing breaches in Narowal, Sialkot, and Shakargarh with reports that in Zafarwal, part of Hanjli Bridge collapsed under the pressure of Nullah Dek, cutting off road links to dozens of villages.
‘Extreme’ situation
The NDMA in its latest advisory eaerly on Wednesday described the situation as “extreme” and warned that vulnerable areas are already under threat.
The Ravi, swelling rapidly at Jassar, is carrying 170,000 cusecs of water and is projected to surge to 250,000 cusecs by morning — a volume that could overwhelm embankments and inundate nearby settlements.
