Flood alert as 7th monsoon spell starts

LAHORE: Punjab braces for the seventh monsoon spell from tomorrow (Wednesday). Provincial Disaster Management Authority (PDMA) Punjab has issued an alert regarding floods in the Sutlej River and its adjoining tributaries. There is a possibility of low-level flood in the Sutlej River at Ganda Singh. Water is likely to be released by India in the next 72 hours. The flow of water in the Sutlej River may increase due to the release of water from the upper reservoirs. There has been an unusual increase in the water level in Indian dams during the last week.

PDMA Punjab has instructed the commissioners of Lahore, Sahiwal, Bahawalpur, Multan and Dera Ghazi Khan. An alert has also been issued to the deputy commissioners of Kasur, Okara, Pakpattan, Bahawalnagar, Vehari, Lodhran, Bahawalpur, Multan, Muzaffargarh, Rajanpur and Rahim Yar Khan. Director General PDMA Irfan Ali Kathia said that the Bhakra Dam on the Sutlej River has been filled to 61 percent. The water storage in Pong Dam is 76 percent while in Thein Dam it is 64 percent. PDMA Punjab IRSA and the Irrigation Department are monitoring the situation of the rivers. An alert has been issued to the Local Government, Agriculture Department, Irrigation Department, Health Department, Forest Department, Livestock and Transport Department. Irfan Ali Kathia issued instructions to the relevant departments to remain alert. DG said that in view of the instructions of the chief minister, all arrangements should be completed in advance. Staff in emergency control rooms should be kept on alert 24 hours. Disaster response teams of Rescue 1122 should also be kept on high alert. The public should be kept informed of the current situation moment by moment. The public should follow the precautionary measures issued. Never bathe in rivers, canals, streams and ponds.