NDMA warns as India discharges water in Sutlej River

Lahore: India has discharged 2,08,597 cusecs water from Harike and 1,10,568 cusecs from Ferozepur in River Sutlej on Tuesday.

According to National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) India has released water in Sutlej from Harike will enter in Ganda Singhwala in Kasur district in next 24 hours. “The low flood flow from India is expected to reach within next six hours”, NDMA spokesperson claimed.

In the upcoming 36 to 48 hours, the water from Harike will reach Sulemanki Headworks. Low-lying areas and communities will become submerged, crops along the Sutlej River will flood, and highways will become overtopped as a result.

All responsible commissioners and deputy commissioners of districts along the Sutlej River have been instructed by relief official Nabeel Javed to complete relief plans immediately.

“Safety of life and property should be foremost priority,” relief commissioner stressed.

According to relief commissioner Punjab, concerned agencies should keep the Provincial Disaster Management Authority (PDMA) informed of the present situation and disaster teams of Rescue 1122 should be kept on high alert.

He appealed for the disaster response force to have access to machinery and other supplies. For any rescue operation, there should be a sufficient supply of gasoline and diesel prepared, according to a relief official.

He also stressed for availability of food, clean drinking water and other necessities at flood relief camps and sufficient stock of medicines at medical camps.

Relief Commissioner Nabeel Javed also directed for ensuring security of food stocks in low-lying areas.

The National Disaster Management Authority is sharing regular updates with Disaster Management responders for taking necessary precautionary measures and they have been directed to move people or at-risk communities from low lying areas and place flood fighting equipment and machinery.