By: Web Desk
Punjab Information Minister Azma Bokhari has said that the flood-related death toll in the province has reached 60.
With 4.2 million people affected by floods, Bokhari added, as many as 2.1 million have been shifted to safe locations along with 1.5 million livestock as well. She also pointed out that as many as 4,335 villages were affected by the floods.
Noting that Punjab CM Maryam Nawaz will soon be announcing a relief package for the affectees, the minister said that more than 1.8 million acres of land were affected by the floods.
“Rice, sugarcane, and cotton crops have been affected by the floods,” she remarke The Punjab Disaster Management Authority (PDMA) on Monday said flooding in major rivers across the province remains at critical levels, warning of further rise in water flows until September 9 due to ongoing rains in the upper catchment areas.
According to a PDMA spokesperson, the Sutlej River at Ganda Singh Wala is experiencing very high flood levels, with water discharge recorded at 319,000 cusecs. At Head Sulemanki, the Sutlej is flowing in high flood at 135,000 cusecs.
In the Chenab River, water flow at Marala has reached 84,000 cusecs, while Khanki Headworks is witnessing low flood with a flow of 147,000 cusecs. At Trimmu Headworks, the Chenab is flowing at 543,000 cusecs, posing a major risk.Rajanpur and surrounding areas continue to experience intermittent rainfall, with showers also reported in the hilly regions of Koh-e-Suleman. According to the Flood Control Room, water levels in the Indus River at Kot Mithan are steadily rising.
A flood wave of over 600,000 cusecs from the Head Panjnad is merging with the Indus at Kot Mithan, where a flow of 215,000 cusecs was already passing through. Authorities warn that high-level flooding is expected by this evening.
Relief operations are underway, with 13 camps established for displaced residents. So far, more than 107,000 people have been evacuated from the riverine belt, where 53 villages have been inundated.
