Rivers swell as monsoon rains continue to lash cities across Pakistan

 

Torrential rains in different parts of Punjab and the release of water by India into rivers have wreaked havoc in several parts of the province.

The situation in River Sutlej at Arifwala deteriorated on Monday after water burst its banks and spilled over into dozens of surrounding villages due to which people’s homes, cattle and crops were all washed away, reported 24NewsHD TV channel.

Rescue1122 personnel, on the other hand, evacuated people from the areas and shifted them to safer places.

River Indus in medium flood at Daira Din Panah

On the other hand, River Indus at Daira Din Panah was in medium flood after water level in the river increased by 91,000 cusecs during the last 24 hours to reach 370,000 cusecs.

The water entered surrounding villages, inundating crops in the process.   

River Ravi destroys rice crop at Jasarr

Rice crop sown over hundreds of acres of land was inundated after water from River Ravi entered surrounding villages at Jasarr.

The water level in the river at that place was recorded at over 47, 000. 

Flood in Dadu

On the other hand, there is a deluge at Kachu following heavy monsoon showers over the Keerthar mountains of Dadu in Sindh.  

Consequently, road links of over 50 villages and towns with Dadu, Johi and other cities was severed.  

To make matters worse, none came to the rescue of stranded villagers, who shifted to safer places on their own.

Rain nullahs swell at Kohe Suleman

Water levels have risen sharply in the streams and nullahs of Kohe Suleman Range after several hours of downpour over the mountains that severed road links of tribal areas with neighbouring towns and cities.

First monsoon showers at Obaro, Sindh

Obaro and its suburbs received first monsoon rain.

Rain, accompanied by strong winds, considerably brought down the temperatures due to which people heaved a sigh of relief.

However, the downpour also caused a loss to mango, and date orchards besides severing power supply to different parts of the city.

Rain in Kandhkot, Sindh

Heavy rain also lashed Kandhkot and its outskirts due to which heat-stricken people of the city heaved a sigh of relief.

However, it also brought with it lot of inconvenience as electricity supply to the city was disconnected.   

There were also reports of monsoon rains from other parts of Sindh.

PDMA issues rain alert

The Provincial Disaster Management Authority (PDMA) on Monday said that different parts of Punjab would continue to receive monsoon rains between July 24 and July 30, reported 24NewsHD TV channel.

PDMA Spokesman Imran Qureshi said that another spell of rains would start in the province on July 27.

However, he made it clear that the new spell would not be as intense as was its predecessor.

The spokesman further said that since dams were already 90 per cent full in India due to heavy rains, there were fears that the country would release more water into rivers in the coming days due to which there could be again floods in Pakistan.

He said already water levels in rivers in Punjab were rising, and River Ravi, River Chenab and River Jhelum were likely to remain in medium to high flood.  “Therefore, it is incumbent upon the district administrations to remain alert round the clock since protecting the lives and properties of people is the first priority,” he asserted.     

The spokesman asked people to dial PDMA’s helpline number 1129 in case of any emergency.

Reporters: Ali Ramay, Shahzad Ahmad, Taimoor Athar, Yasir Arafat, Kamran Korai, Ali Moosa Raza