ISLAMABAD: Pakistan braced for twin river floods on Friday as the Chenab swelled to one of its highest recorded levels and authorities warned of a looming surge in the Ravi, prompting mass evacuations, emergency breaches and the deployment of rescue teams across the eastern province of Punjab.
The flooding, fueled by record monsoon rains and excess water released from upstream India, has created crisis conditions in the country’s most populous province, which is home to half the population of 240 million. Authorities have issued evacuation orders around the rivers, where record flows have been recorded at barrage points.
The Punjab government called in the army this week to support rescue and relief operations. Since June 26, torrential monsoon rains linked to climate change have killed over 820 people and injured thousands across Pakistan, according to the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA).
“A major flood wave in the River Chenab is rapidly moving toward Chiniot, Jhang and Trimmu Headworks,” Punjab Relief Commissioner Nabeel Javed said in a statement.
“By evening, the flood wave will pass through Jhang and Chiniot and reach Trimmu Headworks,” he added. “To reduce pressure, breaching has been carried out at three locations in Jhang.”
