Evacuation ordered as Sutlej swells

ISLAMABAD/LAHORE:

The National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) on Thursday ordered immediate evacuation of communities along the Sutlej River after a sharp rise in upstream water discharge and forecasts of further intensification in the coming days.

Officials said that water flow at Harike Barrage surged to 111,461 cusecs at 10pm, triggering heavy downstream movement. Discharge at Ganda Singh Wala is projected to rise to between 100,000 and 110,000 cusecs, while Head Suleimanki is expected to receive around 80,000 cusecs.

The NDMA’s National Emergencies Operation Center (NEOC), warned that the eighth monsoon spell – bringing heavy rainfall to the river’s upper catchment areas – may push the flow at Ganda Singh Wala to 120,000 cusecs from August 23.

Earlier, the Punjab Provincial Disaster Management Authority (PDMA) confirmed a continuous rise in the Sutlej’s water levels at Ganda Singh Wala, where, It said, the river was already in medium-level flood at 95,000 cusecs.

A flow of 80,000 cusecs in the Sutlej River corresponds to a low-level flood, 120,000 cusecs to a medium-level flood, and 175,000 cusecs to a high-level flood. The NEOC said that sustained precipitation and reservoir releases were expected to aggravate the flood situation.

The NDMA has placed all relevant departments and emergency services on high alert, urging residents in flood-prone areas to comply with evacuation orders, safeguard livestock and agricultural assets, and avoid movement near canals, nullahs, and inundated zones.

The NDMA said it was coordinating with provincial and district administrations for timely response and uninterrupted monitoring. The PDMA 298 vehicles had been deployed, along with 13 boats, 16 life rings, 210 life jackets, and other rescue equipment to aid evacuations.

Tarbela Dam

Tarbela Dam — the country’s second largest reservoir — attained its full conservation capacity of 1,550 feet above mean sea level on Thursday.

“Tarbela Dam reached its maximum conservation level of 1,550 feet above mean sea level today, resulting in 5.728 million-acre feet useable water in the reservoir,” Water and Power Development Authority announced.