The water level in the Indus River continues to rise steadily, reaching the katcha (riverine) areas of Sehwan and triggering a low-level flood emergency.According to irrigation officials, three union councils in Sehwan tehsil have now been declared under low-level flood conditions following the surge in river water.Floodwaters have inundated the katcha areas, cutting off more than 30 villages from the nearby cities of Sehwan and Bhan Syedabad. Villages including Bilawalpur, Daredeero, Jhundiani, Nayo Wahan, Mahi Otho, and Mahi Sehta are now completely surrounded by water.

In response to the worsening situation, local villagers have arranged private boats for transport, maintaining a link with urban centres as all road access has been severed.The residents of the flood-hit areas have urged the district administration to provide government-operated boats to ease movement and support emergency needs.The Irrigation Department has warned that the water level is expected to rise further in the coming days. In anticipation, an emergency has been declared on the LS protective bund, and continuous monitoring of the embankments has begun. 

Meanwhile, the flood control room has reported that the Indus River at Guddu Barrage is currently experiencing a low-level flood. Encouragingly, water levels are now rapidly declining.  A 50-foot-wide breach in the Pat Feeder Canal in Balochistan's Sohbatpur district has submerged dozens of villages, as monsoon-triggered flooding continues to wreak havoc in the region. According to the details, the breach occurred near Jangi Mori in the tehsil of Mulguzar during the ongoing spell of heavy monsoon rains. As the canal gave way, water rushed out at high speed, inundating a wide area and leaving many villages underwater. 

Sources said residents were struggling to contain the breach on their own. Despite the critical situation, no major relief operation has yet been initiated by the Balochistan authorities. Flooded villages have reported extensive damage to both crops and homes. Affected residents are urging the government to provide emergency assistance and to take swift action to seal the breach. So far, the recent rains have damaged 58 houses across Balochistan, out of which 11 homes have been destroyed, while 47 have been partially affected.

Additionally, four government properties have been damaged, including three revenue offices and one education department building. According to data released by the Provincial Disaster Management Authority (PDMA), the monsoon season has so far claimed 16 lives in Balochistan, including seven children and four women. Eight others, including five men, have been injured.The Provincial Disaster Management Authority (PDMA) Punjab has rescued hundreds of citizens trapped by floodwaters after heavy rainfall struck the Potohar region yesterday, according to Director General PDMA, Irfan Ali Kathia. 

Extraordinary rainfall in Chakwal, Jhelum, and Rawalpindi prompted the declaration of a rain emergency. District administrations, in coordination with the Pakistan Armed Forces, swiftly launched rescue operations across the affected areas. More than 1,000 people were evacuated to safer locations in the Potohar region. In Jhelum alone, 398 citizens were rescued. The district administration evacuated 174 individuals, while the Pakistan Army assisted in rescuing another 64. Additionally, 160 people in Jhelum were airlifted by helicopter to safety. In Chakwal, a cloudburst led to flash floods that stranded residents.

PDMA reported that 209 individuals were successfully relocated to safer zones, including 182 by the district administration and 27 via helicopter. Rawalpindi also experienced intense flooding, where the district administration rescued 450 individuals. Six citizens trapped in the Lai Nullah were airlifted by helicopter. DG PDMA Irfan Ali Kathia emphasised that the rescue operations were carried out promptly as per the directions of the Punjab Chief Minister. He confirmed that no casualties were reported. The DG further warned that the fourth spell of monsoon rainfall is forecast to begin on July 21.

Credit: Independent News Pakistan (INP)