Authorities have issued high flood alert across nine districts of Punjab following high inflow in the Sutlej River from India.  The emergency alert has been issued in Kasur, Okara, Bahawalnagar, Pakpattan, Vehari, Lodhran, Bahawalpur, Multan, and Muzaffargarh.  Severe flooding triggered by high inflows in the Sutlej, Ravi, and Chenab rivers has caused widespread devastation across Punjab, affecting more than 2 million people and claiming at least 41 lives so far. 

At Head Mohammad Wala in Multan, a major flood wave of 450,000 cusecs entered the Chenab River, striking the city's primary flood defense at the Akbar Flood Bund. The road to Head Mohammad Wala has been completely closed as authorities prepared for emergency breaching operations. Hundreds of villages from Jhok Venus to Head Mohammad Wala are already submerged, with large-scale evacuations underway. 

Multan braces for another flood wave tonight, as authorities prepare for controlled explosions to divert water away from populated zones. Dynamite has been planted along Head Mohammad Wala Road to facilitate emergency breaching if required.  The situation remains critical near Basti Bosan where the rising water levels of the Chenab have begun to enter low-lying areas. Schools, such as the one in Jhok Arabi, have been flooded, disrupting educational activities.

Credit: Independent News Pakistan (INP)