Sutlej River broke its banks as India released water after severe monsoon spell flooded its waterways submerging many villages and leaving thousands of people stranded. In Pakpattan, the protective embankments of the river near Basti Chakr?loka and Kund Nain Singh were swept away as a result of which floodwaters submerged nearby settlements. People have been engaged in rebuilding embankment on a self-help basis as local administration failed to send support staff. 

Kasur, Okara, Pakpattan, Bahawalnagar, and Vehari districts are the worst-hit by the gushing water. According to rescue teams, people and their livestock have been moved to safer locations. Punjab Disaster Management Authority spokesperson said the Sutlej River posed a threat to areas near the border. Villages have been affected, and people are being forced to relocate to safer areas with their livestock. 

In Bahawalnagar district's Minchinabad tehsil, floodwaters have caused large-scale damage to standing crops in the areas of Wazira Gaduka and McLeod Ganj. Rice, sesame, and fodder have been completely destroyed. Water levels are rising around the Baba Farid Bridge and adjacent areas. Flooding has wreaked havoc in several villages, including Mouza Azam Cheena and Mouza Bhondi.

Temporary protective embankments have collapsed, cutting off affected areas from road access to Minchinabad city. In Zafarwal, a 500-foot breach occurred when the Dek Drain's embankment broke near the Lahri area. According to the irrigation department, the water submerged dozens of villages. Rescue teams have been using boats to evacuate people stuck in their homes. So far, more than 19,000 people have been relocated to safer places.

The Provincial Disaster Management Authority (PDMA) has issued warnings to people living near rivers to immediately move to safer areas. However, some local residents say they have no alternative place to go. According to the authority, there is a risk of moderate to high-level flooding in the Chenab River in the next 24 hours due to the water from the Tawi River. The water will affect the areas near Gujrat, Mandi Bahauddin, Chiniot, and Jhang. 

Meanwhile, the inflow of water at Head Marala, is 127,000 cusecs, while the outflow is 109,000 cusecs. At Khanki, the water inflow is 128,000 cusecs and the outflow is 121,000 cusecs. There is also a risk of flash flooding in the hill torrents of Dera Ghazi Khan. At the Ganda Singh Wala on the Sutlej River, there is a high-level flood, with the water flow recorded at 133,000 cusecs. At Head Sulemanki, water inflow is 94,000 cusecs and outflow 87,000 cusecs. In the Indus River, there is a low-level flood at the Kalabagh and Chashma.

In the Ravi River, water flow is as follows: 39,000 cusecs at Jassar, 18,000 at Shahdara, 41,000 at Balloki, and 33,000 cusecs at Head Sidhnai. There is also a low-level flood situation in the Aik and Basantar streams.  Also read: Rivers Indus, Chenab likely to become furious in next 24 hours The Flood Forecasting Division (FFD) has said that Rivers Chenab and Indus are likely to attain high flood level during the next 24 hours while River Sutlej at (Ganda Singh Wala) will continue at high flood level for the next few days, subject to releases from Indian reservoirs. 

Credit: Independent News Pakistan (INP)