The administration has issued a high alert after India released water in River Ravi, reported 24NewsHD TV channel.

A flashflood measuring 175,000 cusecs is gushing forward at great speed and high flood is expected in River Ravi. 

According to latest information, India released 171,797 cusecs water from Ujh Barrage at 1530 PST on Monday. Keeping in view the releases from Ujh Barrage, inflows are likely to increase in River Ravi at Jassar ranging between 70,000 cusecs to 100,000 cusecs, touching the mark of medium to high flood level during the period from 0000 PST of 16-08-2022 to 1200 PST of 16-08-2022.

The Punjab irrigation department and local administration as well as dwellers living in settlements dotted along the river bank have been alerted of possible flooding.

An emergency meeting was held on Tuesday under the chair of Punjab chief secretary to review the rain/flood situation in the province. 

The meeting was informed that in case the flood hit the area, as many as 600,000 people would be affected. 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dGhxkLzGxX0

Narowal-Sialkot rail track washed away 

Meanwhile, the Narowal-Sialkot rail track has been washed away following the floodwaters that submerged Qila Ahmadabad. 

Last night, the water flow in nullah Dek was recorded 40,000 cusecs whereas the water capacity of the nullah is 25,000 cusecs. The overflowed nullah inundated the surrounding areas and washed away the rail track near Qila Ahmadabad. 

No train service will be available between Narowal and Sialkot today. 

In Pasrur, the flashfloods have wreaked havoc in the surrounding villages. 

People in 50 villages have been stranded as no rescue efforts have started yet. 

Flood situation 

The water level in the Chenab river near Wazirabad has increased again due to recent rains. Last night, the water discharge at Marala Headworks in Chenab river was 178,500 cusecs while water flow near Wazirabad was 195,950 cusecs. Water inflow in Chenab River at Qadirabad headworks was 79,962 cusecs while outflow is 60,962 cusecs. A flood warning to the adjacent areas of Wazirabad had been issued.

Meanwhile, the flood torrents coming from Taunsa area in Kot Addu have also wreaked havoc and people have started shifting their belongings.

The floodwater coming from the Suleman Mountains caused destruction in Taunsa, Kot Chutta of Dera Ghazi Khan, adjoining tribal areas, and Rajanpur. These areas were severely affected while many houses collapsed, so many people drowned, animals perished, vehicles swept away and many roads to the tribal areas cut off.

On Monday, as many as 19 people were drowned in flashfloods in Mosa Khel in Balochistan and Dera Ghazi Khan in Punjab while the rescuers fished out nine dead bodies. 

In Punjab, 7 people were swept away in the hill torrent from Koh-e-Suleman in Tuman Qaisarani in Dera Ghazi Khan. Five dead bodies were fished out. However, the rescuers saved one person while another was still missing. 

A woman died due to land sliding in the area. 

Dear Ghazi Khan has been cut off from the rest of the country due to hill torrents from the Suleman Range Mountains. 

In Balochistan, the nullahs and streams in Kohlu, Barkhan, Dera Bugti, Jhal Magsi and Jafarabad have overflown threatening flooding of the areas. River Nari and River Tili are facing medium flood. 

According to official data, the death toll in Balochistan has reached 194.

Met Office issues urban flooding warning 

Meanwhile, the Metrological Department on Tuesday warned that heavy rains may generate urban flooding in Rawalpindi/Islamabad, Peshawar, Nowshera, Mardan, Faisalabad, Lahore and Gujranwala on 15th and 16th August. 

Flash flooding is expected in local nullahs of Islamabad/Rawalpindi, Shakargarh, Sialkot, Narowal, Abbottabad, Mansehra, Dir, Karak, Lakki Marwat, Bannu and Kashmir on 15th & 16th August. 

Heavy rains may generate urban flooding in Karachi, Thatta, Badin, Hyderabad, Dadu, Jamshoro, Sukkur, Larkana, Shaheed Benazirabad and Mirpurkhas from 15th to18th August. 

Flash flooding is expected in Qilla Saifullah, Loralai, Barkhan, Kohlu, Mosa Khel, Sherani, Sibbi, Bolan, Kalat, Khuzdar, Lasbella, Awaran, Turbat, Panjgur, Pasni, Jiwani, Ormara, Gwadar and hill torrents may hit Dera Ghazi Khan during the forecast period from 15th to 18th August.

Rainfall may trigger landslides in Kashmir, hilly areas of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Galiyat, Murree, Chillas, Diamir, Gilgit, Hunza, Astore, Ghizer and Skardu during the forecast period.

Monsoon currents from Bay of Bengal are penetrating in central and upper parts of the country. Strong monsoon current are likely to penetrate southern parts from Tuesday.

 

Reporters Yasir Arafat and Aurangzeb Baig