Bahawalpur (Staff Report):
A massive release of water from India into the Sutlej River has triggered severe flooding in several districts of Punjab. Villages in Bahawalpur, Kasur, Bahawalnagar, and Pakpattan have been inundated, while standing crops have suffered widespread destruction.
According to the Irrigation Department, the water level at Head Ganda Singh Wala has surged to 21.8 feet with a discharge of nearly 195,000 cusecs, placing the river under a “very high flood” category. Hundreds of families from nearby villages are being shifted to safer locations as the situation worsens.
The Flood Forecasting Centre reported that Head Sulemanki is experiencing a medium flood with an inflow of 104,000 cusecs. At Head Islam, the inflow has reached 46,000 cusecs, causing water to spill into low-lying areas.
Floodwaters have swept through farmlands in Kasur and Bahawalnagar, destroying cotton and maize crops. In Bahawalpur, the Zamindara Bund has breached, submerging thousands of acres of farmland, while mounting pressure has also been reported at the Empress Bridge.
Rescue and district administration teams are engaged in evacuation and relief efforts. According to the Provincial Disaster Management Authority (PDMA), relief camps have been set up in affected areas to provide shelter, food, and medical assistance to displaced families.
