Sutlej River on flood alert as water levels rise

Flood-like conditions have developed in Mailsi after water flow in the Sutlej River surged, the Pakistan Meteorological Department (PMD) said. At Head Ganda Singh, inflow and outflow were recorded at 118,652 cusecs, while Head Sulemanki saw inflows of 89,267 cusecs with 82,008 cusecs outflow. Head Islam reported an inflow of 42,195 cusecs and an outflow of 40,295 cusecs, and at Head Syphon, both inflow and outflow stood at 36,682 cusecs. Authorities imposed Section 144 at Head Syphon, banning swimming, recreational visits and boating. The assistant commissioner confirmed strict enforcement of restrictions. Local administration said all departments remain on high alert, with Rescue 1122 and the Livestock Department setting up relief camps. In Alipur, Muzaffargarh district, the Chenab River rose to 70,000 cusecs at Head Panjnad, breaching protective embankments. The break at Basti Manghar Khan submerged several settlements and damaged crops over dozens of acres. Residents said water surrounding their homes left them struggling to move, while local authorities had yet to arrive. In Taunsa Sharif, families are still enduring acute shortages of food and fodder. Many are living under the open sky, reporting hunger among both people and livestock. In Dera Ghazi Khan, floodwaters entered villages, forcing relocations. Rescue 1122 reported that 200 families and more than 560 livestock were moved to safety. Deputy Commissioner Muhammad Usman Khalid visited low-lying areas, reviewed operations at flood posts in Bet Ashraf and Banbhan, and assured residents that the administration was fully alert under directives from Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif. Officials said the Indus River flow had dropped from 500,000 to 250,000 cusecs but warned of possible rises with the expected eighth flood spell. Relief camps, including those in government schools, are distributing cooked meals, while most houses remain safe as they were built on raised ground. In Layyah, an 18-year-old drowned in the Munda Canal while attempting to record a TikTok video. Police said Rahman Sadiq handed his phone to a friend before jumping into the canal, but failed to resurface. Rescue 1122 divers launched a search operation to recover his body. Elsewhere, flood-hit residents in Vehari voiced anguish over deteriorating conditions. Advocate Muzaffar Baloch warned that stranded communities faced severe shortages of food, shelter and livestock fodder, criticising the district administration for “empty claims” of assistance. Relief camps have been established and health and rescue teams remain deployed.

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