LAHORE: Punjab continues to face severe flood conditions as river waters continue to spread across more settlements, prompting widespread displacement in several cities.
The Flood Forecasting Division (FFD) Lahore has reported that the water flow in the Chenab River at Head Trimmu barrage has risen to 249,000 cusecs. High flood levels were also recorded at Khanki Headworks (229,000 cusecs) and Head Qadirabad barrage (233,000 cusecs).
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Floodwaters from the Chenab River have reached Jhang, submerging 180 villages and damaging crops across hundreds of acres. Rescue efforts relocated trapped individuals using boats, with many, including women and children, spending the night without shelter.
In Vehari, a temporary dam in Khaji village broke, flooding local roads and displacing residents in the river belt area of Khairpur Tamiwali. A similar incident in Bahawalnagar led to water entering nearby settlements, forcing evacuations.
Flooding continues in Pakpattan as well, where high water levels at Head Sulemanki have cut off road access to several villages. In Nankana Sahib, floodwaters from the Ravi River submerged multiple riverbelt villages.
Relief and rescue operations continue while authorities remain active in monitoring the flood situation.
KHYBER PAKHTUNKHWA FACES SIMILAR SITUATION
On Saturday, heavy rainfall caused urban flooding in Peshawar and its adjoining areas as stormwater drains overflowed, inundating several neighbourhoods. Rescue teams used boats to evacuate at least 300 people to safer locations, officials said.
According to reports, water from swollen streams and drains entered residential areas in Regi Lalma, Budhni, Hasan Garhi, Sardar Garhi, Warsak Road and adjoining localities.
In low-lying areas, residents shifted their belongings to higher ground after Budhni Nullah rose to dangerous levels.
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Rescue officials said that people trapped inside houses in Regi and Warsak Road areas were evacuated with boats, while rescue operations were also carried out in Khyber district. Waterlogging was reported in Kohati, Khyber Bazaar, Jehangirpura, Nishtarabad and Gulbahar as well.
Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Ali Amin Gandapur directed the district administration, Provincial Disaster Management Authority (PDMA) and Rescue 1122 officials to reach affected areas immediately and personally supervise rescue and relief efforts.