ALBAWABA - Rescue teams continue to evacuate more than 100,000 Pakistanis as major floods rage through Pakistan’s Punjab province due to high levels of flooding in the Sutlej River on Saturday, Pakistan state media reported.
The river, which runs through both northern India and Pakistan, has seen a considerable increase in water level as a result of New Delhi's release of hundreds of thousands of cubic meters from reservoirs due to the ongoing monsoon season.
Two big Indian dams built on the river are nearing capacity again, and additional rains could result in the release of water from these reservoirs, posing a threat to at least seven districts in Punjab.
Deeba Shahnaz, a spokeswoman for the Punjab Rescue Department, told Anadolu news agency that over 100,000 people have been evacuated from the Kasur, Pakpattan, Pakpattan, Vehari, Bahawalnagar, Lodhran, Multan, and Bahawalpur districts since July 9. According to Shahnaz, since July 9, 17 people have been killed in flood-related accidents, while 36 suffered injuries.
According to Pakistan's National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA), the river has become violent at Ganda Singh Wala Barrage and Islam Headworks, endangering the districts of Kasur, Okara, Bahawalnagar, Pakpattan, and Vehari.
“The district administration would ensure all possible relief to the people of flood-hit areas,” the state-run APP news agency quoted Deputy Commissioner (DC) Omer Jahangir as saying, following his visit to affected areas near Multan.
Pakistan rains
Monsoon rains have been raging through Pakistan since late June. According to the NDMA, the rains have caused flash floods in various locations and have claimed 213 lives so far this year.
Authorities have successfully evacuated approximately 250,000 people to safer locations, and hundreds of boats and rescue professionals have been summoned to aid the government in rescue efforts.
