The Sutlej River has surged to high flood levels at the Islam Headworks, resulting in severe consequences for nearby regions in Vehari, Burewala, Lodhran, and Bahawalpur. The floodwater has submerged various areas and destroyed standing crops, leading to significant agricultural losses.
According to the Provincial Disaster Management Authority, the Sutlej River is also experiencing high flood levels at the Ganda Singh Headworks, with a water flow of 122,000 cusecs and a water level of 20.8 feet. At the Sulemanki Headworks, the river is in medium flood with an inflow of 96,638 cusecs and an outflow of 83,720 cusecs.
Unfortunately, the floods have resulted in the tragic loss of life as well. Mohammad Rafique, a resident of Chak Pana Mahar, was swept away by the floodwater, and search efforts are currently underway to find him.
The flooding in the Sutlej River belt has been linked to the release of floodwater from waterworks in India. This release has caused a vast area of the river belt to be submerged, leading to the destruction of roads and temporary protective dykes on the Pakistani side of the border.
The consequences of the floods have been devastating for the region. Thousands of acres of farmland in Kasur, Bahawalnagar, Okara, Pakpattan, Sahiwal, and Vehari districts have been inundated, resulting in the destruction of crops. The area now resembles a massive lake, with water stretching as far as the eye can see, and numerous settlements have been submerged.
In Bahawalnagar, land links to several villages have been severed, leaving residents in need of assistance from government agencies. The local administration, along with rescue teams and volunteers, has been actively engaged in relief operations, with a focus on transferring the stranded population of 9,980 individuals to safer locations.
The severity of the situation has necessitated the evacuation of around 100,000 people from flooded villages in Punjab. Hundreds of villages and thousands of acres of cropland have been affected by the flooding caused by the release of excess reservoir water from India into the Sutlej River.
The recent flooding in the Sutlej River has had a profound impact, leading to the destruction of homes and extensive agricultural losses on thousands of acres. It is crucial for government agencies and relief organizations to continue providing assistance and support to the affected communities during this difficult time.