Raging floodwaters in the Chenab, Ravi and Sutlej rivers have displaced over two million people in Punjab since Aug. 23, according to the Provincial Disaster Management Authority (PDMA), which says the next two days are critical amidst forecasts for more rain.
The Punjab PDMA has said heavy rainfall in India’s Madhya Pradesh and Himachal Pradesh areas may push additional waters downstream into Pakistan, boosting the floods already underway in various parts of Pakistan. While the floods have largely affected rural areas, heavy rains over the past week have caused urban flooding, including in several areas of provincial capital Lahore. Authorities have warned that if India releases an additional 300,000 cusecs into the Sutlej River, it could cause significant devastation in the areas around Lahore.
Thus far, per the PDMA’s Flood Situation Report, 33 people have died and eight injured due to the floods in the Chenab, Ravi and Sutlej rivers. The report says 2,066,785 residents of 2,222 villages have been affected, adding the government has established 506 relief camps to cater to 10,654 people. Additionally, it said, 352 medical camps had treated 17,853 people thus far.
Rescue teams, including both civilian and armed forces, have evacuated 760,424 people and 516,258 animals to safe locations. Veterinary services are being provided through 331 camps, as concerns mount over health issues following the immediate threat of floods.
To protect urban areas, the government has conducted breaches at various flood dykes, with PDMA Punjab Director-General Irfan Ali Kathia defending the decision as necessary to protect populated areas. He said that current flows indicated 1.1 million cusecs would enter Sindh in the coming days.
National crisis
Addressing a media briefing on Sunday, National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) Chairman Lt. Gen. Inam Haider Malik said this year’s monsoon season had resulted in 850 deaths and more than 1,150 injuries nationwide. Flanked by Climate Change Minister Musadik Malik, he said over 600,000 people had been evacuated to safety, and thousands of livestock rescued.
He said a final monsoon spell was anticipated for the first 10 days of September, with heavy rainfall predicted for eastern Punjab, Azad Kashmir and nearby regions.
The climate change minister said nearly 2 million people had been displaced thus far, mostly in Punjab, adding the country’s poorest were facing the brunt of the crisis. “If there is any NGO in your area or if you personally can help a displaced family, please do so,” he said, urging the public to support the government’s efforts.
All eyes on Sindh
As the waters proceed from Punjab toward Sindh, Chief Minister Murad Ali Shah has said the provincial government has devised a comprehensive plan to deal with a potential “super flood.”
On Sunday, he visited Guddu and Sukkur barrages and received a briefing regarding flood preparations and relief measures. He said inflows from Trimmu would reach Sindh in about five days via Panjnad.
Shah recalled that in 2010 the inflows passing Guddu had reached 1.1 million cusecs. “This time, even 900,000 to one million cusecs would be extremely challenging. If inflows remain limited, losses will be manageable, but crops may still not survive,” he warned, adding the foremost priority was protecting human lives and livestock, followed by securing the Guddu, Sukkur and Kotri barrages.
“We know exactly which areas will be affected at different water levels — 500,000 to 700,000 cusecs, 700,000 to 900,000, or even beyond. If inflows cross 900,000 cusecs, over 200,000 people may be impacted,” he added.
Authorities in Sindh have already started relocating people living in riverine areas to safer locations, though there is some resistance with citizens saying they will wait to see how the situation develops before abandoning their homes. According to Shah, 192 boats from the Pakistan Navy and Pakistan Army have been deployed in the katcha areas to aid in relocation efforts.