Provincial Disaster Management Authority (PDMA) Punjab Director General Irfan Ali Kathia on Saturday morning warned that if Chenab and Ravi floodwaters converging on Multan exceed acceptable limits, the government will have no choice but to breach embankments to protect the maximum number of lives and infrastructure.
Addressing a press conference, he said the provincial administration—in collaboration with the National Highways Authority (NHA)—has already determined this point and will not hesitate to take action if required. He said there were currently 650,000 cusecs passing near Multan and it was feared this would rise in the coming hours. However, he vowed, there is no tolerance for unnecessary breaches.
According to Kathia, water levels in the Ravi are now decreasing. He said this should resolve drainage issues in the next 24-48 hours. He said the floods in the Ravi, Sutlej and Chenab rivers should enter Sindh province around Sept. 6. Warning that forecast rains for the next 2-3 days could worsen the flooding situation, he assured that the government has taken steps to ensure minimal impact on citizens if such a situation develops.
Detailing ongoing impacts and relief efforts, he said Rescue 1122 had utilized 800 boats with over 1,300 rescuers to evacuate and aid affected residents. The Army is also supporting civilian efforts, he said, adding that all delays to rescue efforts have now been resolved.
On the impacts from floods in each river, he said 1,169 villages had been affected by the Chenab; 478 the Ravi; and 351 the Sutlej River. In these regions, he said, 966,000 people had been affected due to the Chenab; 313,300 due to the Sutlej; and 200,032 due to the Ravi. “These numbers could rise in coming days as the floodwaters proceed,” he warned.
A day earlier, NHA Chairman Shahryar Sultan and Multan Commissioner Amir Kareem Khan visited the Head Muhammad Wala breaching section and Bund Bosan to review the flood management arrangements. The commissioner noted a flood surge of up to 800,000 cusecs was expected in the Chenab River within the next two days. “The Head Muhammad Wala Road will be breached if Multan city faces any threat. The final decision will be made by the technical committee of the Irrigation Department,” he said, adding over 119,715 people had already been safely relocated and 84 relief camps set up. He assured the affected families they would receive compensation from the government.
Controlled breaches
Also on Friday, the Punjab government initiated controlled breaches of key flood bunds to divert surging waters from the Chenab, Ravi and Sutlej rivers. Bunds near Athara Hazari in Jhang were breached to relieve pressure on Head Trimmu, as was the Rivaz Bridge flood bund.
Explosives were deployed near Rungpur and Sher Shah bunds to divert water away from Head Muhammad Wala, where a surge of up to 800,000 cusecs is anticipated.
According to Kathia, the Sutlej is facing its worst flooding since 1955, noting this was partially due to a dam breach in India. He said this had particularly endangered Kasur and a breach was required to secure the city.