Pakistan accuses India of using water as a weapon, raising flood concerns across Punjab.
ISLAMABAD: Pakistani authorities issued fresh flood warnings after rising water levels in several major rivers increased the risk of flooding across Punjab and other parts of the country as fears gripped Pakistan after India released water from the Bhakra Dam.
Emergency officials urged local administrations to stay alert as heavy monsoon rains and increased river flows threatened nearby communities. India released water from the Bhakra Dam after an earlier release from the Salal Dam, leading to concerns about higher water levels downstream. Authorities said the next 24 hours are critical, with the Sutlej River expected to experience rising flows that could affect Kasur, Okara and nearby districts.
Water levels in the Chenab River have also increased. Officials warned of moderate to high flooding at Head Marala, Khanki and Qadirabad. Flood conditions are also developing at Head Balloki and Sulemanki, while low level flooding is expected at Mangla and Trimmu.
At Head Panjnad, water flow has increased sharply from 17,000 cusecs to 80,000 cusecs. Officials said the flow could reach 140,000 cusecs within hours if current conditions continue.
The rising water has already affected several communities, in Jhang floodwater entered nearby neighborhoods, while several villages in Chiniot were flooded. In Pasrur, damaged embankments continued to cause flooding affecting homes and farmland after protective dykes collapsed.
In Layyah, riverbank erosion along the Indus River worsened in the low lying Samra Nasheeb area. Officials warned that two government schools are at risk of being washed away.
Meanwhile, the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) released a fresh flood update. Its National Emergencies Operation Centre (NEOC) reported moderate flooding at Khanki, Qadirabad and Chiniot bridges on the Chenab River.
