Nearly 150,000 evacuated across Punjab as flood emergency declared: NDMA

ISLAMABAD: Nearly 150,000 people have been evacuated to safer areas across Punjab as the water level continues to rise in the Sutlej and Ravi rivers, said the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA), following heavy rains and India’s release of water into both rivers.

The flood alert from the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) prompted the Provincial Disaster Management Authority (PDMA) to relocate tens of thousands of residents from Bahawalnagar, Kasur, Okara, Pakpattan, Bahawalpur, and Vehari.

“PDMA initiated large-scale evacuation operations in vulnerable places following the swelling of the Sutlej River. Emergency response teams were deployed, and all concerned departments were placed on high alert to safeguard public life and property,” state-run APP reported.

The data provided by the NDMA showed evacuations included 89,868 residents from Bahawalnagar, 14,140 from Kasur, 2,063 from Okara, 873 from Pakpattan, 361 from Bahawalpur, and 165 from Vehari.

The NDMA said about 40,000 people had already moved on their own, soon after initial advisories.

Citizens have been urged to stay away from rivers, streams, and low-lying areas, avoid unnecessary travel, and strictly follow safety instructions being circulated through television, radio, mobile alerts, and the Pak NDMA Disaster Alert app.

Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif on Monday directed authorities to ensure the timely evacuation of the stranded population in view of the arrival of flood torrents.

Separately, the state-run APP, citing Rescue  1122, reported that the water flow level had increased to 950,00 cusecs in the Sutlej River and was expected to touch 250,000 cusecs.

In the Kasure district, 2281 people and 1068 cattle were moved to safer places on an emergency basis. The district administration had set up a flood relief camp at Check Post, Talwar, in the Shikhpuranu area.

The Chenab has entered a low flood at Head Marala, while its tributaries are also witnessing low levels. Water flow in the Jhelum, Kabul, and Nari rivers remains normal, and hill torrents in the Suleman Range and Dera Ghazi Khan division are not currently active.

The NDMA, in its advisory, added that heavy rainfall forecast across Indian states, including Himachal Pradesh and Uttarakhand, could further swell rivers and streams flowing towards Pakistan.