Punjab’s Provincial Disaster Management Authority (PDMA) DG Irfan Ali Kathia said on Tuesday that there was a greater risk of the River Chenab bursting its banks at Head Muhammad Wala in Multan tonight, reported 24NewsHD TV channel.
Speaking to the media, he said that the routes leading to the site had been closed for traffic and the local administration had been put on high alert. “Embankments at the site will be breached, if deemed necessary,” he added.
He further said that one million people had been evacuated from their homes so far while the death toll in the province had reached 41.
Kathia informed that the River Sutlej was expected to be in high flood in the coming days.
The next 24 hours, he went on to say, were quite critical for Head Sangnai where if the situation deteriorated, Pir Mahal and Khanewal could be affected.
The DG informed that so far over 3,200 villages had been inundated, while more than 2.4 million people had been affected.
He told newsmen that the low-lying areas of Lahore were still flooded and the water was being drained out.
Elaborating further, Kathia said 253,000 cusecs of water was flowing through the River Sutlej at Head Ganda Singh, while the inflow of water in the river at Head Sulemanki stood at 124,000 cusecs. “96,000 cusecs of water is passing through the River Chenab at Head Marala and it is heading towards south Punjab,” he explained.
The DG said that food, medicines and other items were being provided to the flood-hit people in relief camps.
PDMA releases report on floods
On the other hand, the PDMA, in its report, said that 395 relief camps and 392 medical camps had been set up in the affected areas.
Relief Commissioner Punjab Nabeel Javed said that 336 veterinary camps had also been set up for the treatment of animals. “Around 7,8000 animals have also been moved to safe locations.”
He informed that the flow of water in the River Chenab at Khanki Headworks was 120,000 cusecs, while at Qadirabad it stood at 135,000 cusecs.
He further said that the water flow in the River Ravi at Jasarr had been recorded at 54,000 cusecs, while at 60,000 cusecs at Shahdara.
The relief commissioner went on to say that 137,000 cusecs of water was passing through Head Baloki. “The Mangla Dam is 82 per cent, while the Tarbela Dam is 100 per cent full,” he said, adding, “On the instructions of Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz, the affected people will be compensated for their losses.”
Reporter: Ali Ramay