As the overflowing Chenab River continues to flood large areas in southern Punjab, authorities stated on Tuesday that the next two days would be critical for Multan and its neighboring districts. An “unprecedented flood emergency” has led to mass evacuations.
Besides Multan, areas like Muzaffargarh, Shujabad, Khangarh, Jalalpur Pirwala, Uch Sharif, and Alipur are at risk as a second major flood wave is passing through the Head Muhammadwala and Shershah bridges. However, the water level at Shershah is still half a foot below the critical threshold. The government has decided to breach the Shershah embankment if the water level exceeds its critical limit of 393.50 feet, which would impact as many as 8,000 houses and 30,000 people.
As of Tuesday, 138 villages (mouzas) in Muzaffargarh were submerged, affecting 135,000 people. In Rangpur, 28 villages were flooded, impacting 50,000 people. The road connecting Multan and Muzaffargarh at Shershah Bridge was briefly closed but reopened for light traffic in the evening.
Multan Deputy Commissioner Waseem Hamid Sindhu said that water levels are rising due to a flood flow of 500,000 cusecs from Head Trimmu reaching Head Muhammadwala. In case of a high-level flood, the Sher Shah Road will be immediately breached. Sindhu added that an additional 2,000 people have been rescued from Jalalpur Pirwala in the last 24 hours. He noted that floodwaters from the Sutlej and Chenab rivers have placed Jalalpur Pirwala at high risk, so a state of emergency would remain in effect there for the next 24 hours.
Multan Commissioner Aamir Karim Khan is monitoring the rescue activities in Jalalpur Pirwala. He said that 50 villages in the area have been affected by the floods, and 235,296 people, in addition to 180,377 livestock, have been relocated to safe locations.
In a press conference, Provincial Disaster Management Authority (PDMA) Director General Irfan Kathia claimed that the 10th monsoon spell has ended and there would be no more heavy rain in Punjab. He also said there would not be a third flood wave since the rainy season has concluded. However, this claim was challenged by an official from the Pakistan Meteorological Department, who said the monsoon season has not ended in India and could trigger a third wave of floods downstream in Pakistan. He explained that monsoons start earlier and last longer in India than in Pakistan and that no one could make such a long-term forecast as the one made by the PDMA DG.
Meanwhile, the Met Department also forecasted widespread rain, windstorms, and thunderstorms in southern Balochistan and lower Sindh on Wednesday, with scattered heavy to very heavy rainfall likely in parts of south Balochistan.
The PDMA chief’s claims came as the Sutlej River was experiencing a high flood due to water released by India from its dams. According to him, 253,000 cusecs had passed at Ganda Singh Wala, and the water level at the Indian dam Thein had receded by 11 feet. He said that the water near Kasur also decreased from 311,000 to 253,000 cusecs and that the river flow would be back to normal in a day or two. He added that villages in upper Punjab would normalize in a day or two and that 300,000 cusecs of water at Trimmu Barrage had begun to recede, while 300,000 cusecs was crossing Head Panjnad. According to the official, a surge of 400,000 cusecs was approaching Guddu Barrage, which would relieve pressure in areas of southern Punjab.
Mr. Kathia said that 80,000 people are currently living in 488 relief camps, and over 2.1 million people have been evacuated to safer locations. Additionally, 1.95 million acres of agricultural land in Punjab have been flooded. The PDMA DG said that a girl died in the last 24 hours due to a roof collapse caused by rain, but he did not mention the location of the incident.
Three Deaths in Karachi
Due to widespread rain, two teenagers died from electrocution and another drowned in Karachi. The Met Office said that the deep depression causing rains in Karachi and Sindh would gradually move toward Balochistan and turn into a well-marked low-pressure area.
Several hundred straw-and-mud houses in the rural areas of Tharparkar and Dadu districts were swept away as these districts had been receiving intermittent heavy, moderate, and light monsoon rains for the last six and four days, respectively.
River Flow Status (as of 11:30 pm Tuesday)
- Chenab River: Flow is steady at 69,300 cusecs at Marala Headworks, 97,898 cusecs at Khanki Headworks, and 98,316 cusecs at Qadirabad Headworks. Chiniot Bridge is steady at 79,914 cusecs, while Rivaz Bridge is falling at 519.10 feet. Trimmu Headworks is steady at 339,292 cusecs, Head Muhammadwala is steady at 413.70 feet, and Shershah Bridge is steady at 393.40 feet. Panjnad Headworks is rising at 475,129 cusecs.
- Ravi River: Flow is steady at 28,040 cusecs at Jassar and 42,731 cusecs at Ravi Syphon. Shahdara is steady at 42,380 cusecs. Balloki Headworks is falling at 93,305 cusecs, and Sidhnai Headworks is steady at 129,470 cusecs.
- Sutlej River: Flow is steady at 230,738 cusecs at G.S. Wala, 133,097 cusecs at Sulemanki Headworks, 121,357 cusecs at Islam Headworks, and 120,150 cusecs at Mailsi Syphon.
- Indus River: Chachran Bridge gauge upstream of Guddu is steady at 310.60 feet, and Guddu Barrage is reporting a steady flow of 443,494 cusecs.
International Aid and Government Response
The UN Emergency Relief Coordinator Tom Fletcher has announced a $5 million allocation from the UN Central Emergency Response Fund (CERF) to support Pakistan’s government-led flood response. These funds will allow UN agencies and partners to deliver immediate, life-saving assistance to some of the four million people affected, including more than 2 million who were displaced.
Meanwhile, President Asif Ali Zardari has directed the Ministry of National Food Security to take urgent steps to ensure food security in the country following the recent flood devastation.
