- India’s release of water into the Sutlej River has triggered substantial flooding, .
- Pakistan’s disaster management authority has urgently called for the evacuation of residents .
- Authorities are directing efforts towards implementing effective early warning systems.
In a concerning turn of events, the recent release of water by India into the Sutlej River has triggered significant flooding along its course, with authorities raising alarms about the potential for the water flow to reach critical levels.
Pakistan’s highest disaster management authority has urgently called for the evacuation of residents from the Ganda Singh Wala village and surrounding areas as a flash flood sweeps through the region, posing an imminent threat of widespread devastation.
The Sutlej River’s water levels have surged dramatically due to India’s decision to release floodwaters from its reservoirs in response to the ongoing rainy season. The National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) has issued a stark warning that the escalating water levels could culminate in a severe flood-like scenario.
The capital city of New Delhi has released a substantial volume of water into Pakistan, including 141,000 cusecs from the Pong Dam and 83,703 cusecs from the Bhakra Dam. This surge in water release is anticipated to persist for the next 48 to 76 hours, and the resulting flows are set to cascade downstream, impacting areas such as Sulemanki and Islam villages, as officially stated.
Officials are also emphatically urging local authorities to swiftly implement early warning systems and evacuation measures for residents inhabiting low-lying regions. Furthermore, they have issued directives for immediate and effective management and regulation of water within reservoirs to mitigate the situation.
Both Pakistan and India, historical rivals, have experienced heavy rainfall during this monsoon season. Consequently, water levels in numerous rivers have surged to worrisome heights, intensifying the potential for flooding.
It is worth noting that Pakistan encountered disastrous floods last year, caused by unprecedented rainfall, resulting in tragic loss of life and the displacement of millions. This latest development serves as a poignant reminder of the precarious balance between nature’s forces and human efforts to safeguard communities against their impacts.