The flood situation in Punjab’s rivers has largely normalised after weeks of flooding, the Provincial Disaster Management Authority (PDMA) said on Saturday.
“Water flow in most of Punjab’s rivers has returned to normal,” DG PDMA Irfan Ali Kathia stated, adding that water levels in flood-hit areas had dropped significantly.
According to a PDMA report, the flow at Ganda Singh Wala on the Sutlej River stands at 104,000 cusecs, while Sulemanki recorded 81,000 cusecs.
On the Chenab, water flows measured 42,000 cusecs at Marala, 44,000 cusecs at Khanki Headworks, 37,000 cusecs at Qadirabad, and 41,000 cusecs at Trimmu Headworks. At Panjnad, the flow reached 133,000 cusecs. The Ravi River recorded 8,000 cusecs at Jassar, 9,000 at Shahdara, 31,000 at Balloki Headworks, and 29,000 at Sidhnai Headworks.
Punjab Relief Commissioner Nabeel Javed noted that the Mangla Dam is at 96 percent capacity and Tarbela is full, while on the Sutlej, India’s Bhakra Dam has reached 88 percent capacity, Pong Dam 99 percent, and Thein Dam 90 percent.
He said despite the easing of river conditions, the floods have caused significant damage. More than 4,700 villages were affected, with 4.755 million people hit by the disaster, the Relief Commissioner reported.
Providing details about casualties, Nabeel Javed said the PDMA had confirmed 127 deaths caused by floods in various incidents. “In line with the chief minister’s instructions, compensation will be provided to affected citizens,” he said.
He further added that a survey to estimate losses would soon begin, after which compensation would be delivered “through a transparent and simple procedure.”
Meanwhile, another portion of the Multan-Sukkur M-5 motorway has been swept away by the rushing water of the riverine flood in the region, officials said on Saturday.
CTO Multan has said that a breach has developed in the eastern patch of the M-5 sweeping a portion of the motorway.
Earlier, the western portion of the motorway was also carried away by the strong currents of the floodwater.
“Motorway Police and the National Highway Authority’s (NHA) staff has been present on the spot with machinery”.