Punjab’s caretaker Chief Minister, Mohsin Naqvi, announced ongoing rescue efforts in response to the worst flooding in the Sutlej River in 35 years. The Flood Forecasting Division (FFD) has highlighted “extremely high flood levels” at various locations, including Ganda Singh Wala. Mohsin Naqvi shared concerns on the social media platform X, about the 278,000 cusecs of water nearing the Ganda Singh border, noting its discharge from India.
Government’s Immediate Response and Precautions
During his visit to the flood-impacted areas, Naqvi commended the relentless work of local administration, emergency services, police, and irrigation teams. He reported that floodwater, reaching up to 12ft, has inundated several villages in Kasur, necessitating the evacuation of 6,500 residents in the past day. Stressing the government’s proactive approach, he indicated potential forced evacuations to ensure residents’ safety. Officials, including those from the Punjab Provincial Disaster Management Authority (PDMA), oversee rescue operations. The PDMA has emphasized the top priority of human life, ensuring the provision of essentials and executing preventive measures, including encroachment removal from river pathways.
India’s Release and PDMA’s Safety Measures
As per PDMA Director General Imran Qureshi, India is expected to release water into Pakistan until August 21, mandating high alert across all departments. The authority has initiated public awareness campaigns, enlisting mosques’ public address systems for timely flood information dissemination. There’s an emphasis on refraining from river bathing, and continuous efforts are underway to manage the movement of potentially hazardous wildlife in the affected areas. The PDMA seeks the public’s cooperation in minimizing flood-related risks.
