The Provincial Disaster Management Authority (PDMA) has stated that there is a possibility of over 70,000 cusecs of water flowing from India in the coming days due to the collapse of the Madhopur headworks in India.

The Madhopur headworks is built on the Ravi River in Madhopur, approximately 14 km from Pathankot city in Indian Punjab, near the border with Indian-occupied Kashmir.

Speaking to the media, Irfan Ali Kathia, the PDMA Director-General, stated that additional water is expected to enter from India in the coming days, adding that India is not providing accurate information in this regard.

Responding to a question, he said the flood risk to Lahore had been averted, however, the threat remained for Kasur and Multan. To protect Jhang city, embankments had to be deliberately blown up.

The flood situation remained critical in many districts, including Sialkot, Narowal, Wazirabad, Jhang, and Kasur, due to the overflowing of the Chenab, Sutlej, and Ravi rivers.

As a result of the flooding in the Chenab and Sutlej rivers, 2,308 villages in Punjab have been submerged, and thousands of acres of standing crops have been destroyed.

Moreover, 300,000 people have been forced to move to safer areas. A total of 1.5 million people have been affected by the floods, while 33 people have lost their lives, he added.

Sindh braces for water flow

Meanwhile, authorities in Sindh have started making plans to cope with the possible flood as a heavy flow of water is expected to enter the province in the next 2-3 days.

Speaking at a press conference, Sindh’s Senior Minister Sharjeel Inam Memon has warned that devastating floods could affect over 1.65 million people across the province, with as many as 1,657 villages at risk of inundation.

The minister said that floodwaters were expected to enter Sindh between September 2 and 3, prompting the provincial government to activate emergency measures.

A control room has been set up at the Chief Secretary’s office to monitor the situation around the clock.

“All provincial ministers will remain present in the field,” Memon said, adding that the Provincial Disaster Management Authority (PDMA) and other rescue agencies had completed preparations.

The government has identified 551 relief camp locations, while 192 rescue boats, mobile health units, and additional resources have been deployed to vulnerable areas.

He further stated that water flow has intensified at Sukkur, Guddu, and Kotri barrages, heightening the flood threat.

Memon noted that 15 districts of Sindh are situated along the river and remain under close watch.

He said the Sindh government is fully mobilised to tackle the crisis, adding that the chief minister of Sindh will visit the affected regions on Sunday to review relief efforts.