The Punjab Provincial Disaster Management Authority (PDMA) reports that water flow in the Indus, Jhelum, Ravi and Chenab rivers is returning to normal after weeks of heavy flooding that devastated large parts of the province.
According to PDMA Punjab, the Chenab has normalised at Marala, Khanki, Qadirabad and Trimmu, while hill torrents in Dera Ghazi Khan have subsided.
A medium-level flood persists at Ganda Singh Wala on the Sutlej River, and low-level flooding continues at Panjnad, Sulemanki and Islam Headworks.
Dams remain near peak levels, with Mangla at 95 % capacity and Tarbela full. Across the border, Bhakra stands at 88 %, Pong at 94 % and Thein at 88 %.
Read: Flood off peak, heads to Arabian sea
Over 4,700 villages have been affected by flooding in the Ravi, Sutlej and Chenab rivers, impacting 4.723 million people, Relief Commissioner Punjab Nabeel Javed said. The disaster has claimed 118 lives.
A survey to assess damages will begin soon, and compensation will be provided through a transparent process once the assessment is complete, Javed added.
The PDMA warns that the ongoing 11th monsoon spell will continue until 19 September, bringing rain to Rawalpindi, Murree, Galiyat, Gujranwala, Lahore, Gujrat, Sialkot and other districts. Citizens are advised to stay alert and contact the emergency helpline 1129 if needed.
In Sindh, the peak of the flood has passed, with the current surge at Sukkur Barrage expected to subside today. The Indus River, however, remains in high flood at Guddu and Sukkur barrages.
Inflow at Guddu stands at 570,027 cusecs with an outflow of 542,809 cusecs, while Sukkur reports 571,800 cusecs inflow and 518,120 cusecs outflow.
Read more: Light rain, cloudy skies expected in Karachi
Further downstream at Kotri, the river is in low flood with an inflow of 310,698 cusecs.
The Flood Forecasting Division expects Guddu and Sukkur to stay in high flood for the next 36 hours, with Kotri likely to remain at medium flood through the end of September.
Sindh Chief Minister Murad Ali Shah told a press conference in Karachi that all embankments are secure and government institutions and ministers are active in the field. He added that a flood wave is anticipated at Kotri Barrage next week.
Rescue and relief operations
Punjab Police have rescued more than 822,900 flood-affected people in recent operations, Inspector General Dr Usman Anwar said. The evacuees include over 365,000 men, 246,685 women and 211,178 children, while 634,460 livestock have also been moved to safe locations.
A total of 337 relief camps and 429 medical camps have been established in flood-hit districts, and over 2.611 million people trapped in floods have been shifted to safer places. Some 368 veterinary camps are providing treatment for livestock, and more than 2.089 million animals have been relocated.
Also read: Murree hills set for tourism makeover
More than 15,000 police personnel, supported by 720 vehicles and 40 boats, are engaged in the operations. From the Multan and Dera Ghazi Khan regions alone, 317,777 and 137,571 citizens, respectively, have been rescued.
Safe City thermal imaging technology and drone cameras are aiding the efforts, and Anwar commended regional and district police officers for effective coordination.
Rehabilitation plan
Separately, Punjab Chief Secretary Zahid Akhtar Zaman chaired a meeting to review relief and rehabilitation plans. He ordered additional tents and food supplies for Uch Sharif and directed deputy commissioners to remain on site to supervise operations.
Zaman said the immediate rehabilitation of flood victims is the government’s top priority. He instructed officials to drain floodwaters, prevent disease outbreaks through fumigation and medical supplies, restore damaged roads and arrange temporary housing for those who lost their homes.
