India issues another flood alert to Pakistan, releases more water into Sutlej

LAHORE: Punjab Minister for Information and Culture Azma Bokhari said on Monday that India has issued another flood warning to Pakistan after releasing more water into the Sutlej River.

Addressing a press conference in Lahore, she said that Jhang, Sahiwal, Toba Tek Singh, Okara and Bahawalpur have been put on high alert for the next 48 hours, as three rivers — Ravi, Sutlej and Chenab — are currently experiencing simultaneous flooding.

Bokhari said that rescue and relief operations are under way in the flood-hit areas of Punjab, adding that experts have termed the current situation a “super flood.”

She said at least 37 people have died in Punjab due to the floods, while more than 1.6 million people have been affected in the Chenab River belt. Around 344,000 people have been shifted to safer locations.

“Livestock are also being rescued along with residents,” the minister said, adding that 510 roads have been damaged by monsoon rains and floods, affecting a total of 1,021 kilometers. She said over 50 roads have already been restored, while repair work is ongoing on 24 bridges.

Bokhari further said that Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz has directed officials to prepare a comprehensive report on encroachments and housing societies established on river belts once the rescue operation is completed.

She added that the Chief Minister has also ordered identification of areas where illegal settlements were built, clarifying that the Maryam Nawaz government has not issued any NOC to illegal housing societies.