New flood alert after India releases water
ARMY PERSONNEL ALERTED FOR SEARCH, RELIEF EFFORTS
Pakistan yesterday issued a flood warning, set up relief camps and alerted the army for rescue and relief efforts after India released water “without preschedule”.
The Provincial Disaster Management Authority (PDMA) of Punjab and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) issued alerts after India released water into River Sutlej without informing authorities in Pakistan.
Around 150,000 to 200,000 cusecs water was released by India into the River Sutlej on August 18, which is expected to enter Ganda Singh Wala, a border village in Kasur district of Punjab province, in the next 12 to 24 hours, according to officials.
Comprehensive plan
India has also opened three out of five spillways of Ladakh Dam, which may lead to flooding in the nearby settlements, National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) said.
PDMA KP director general said that India had opened the outlets of Alchi dam “without preschedule” which, he said in a notification, could lead to a flooding situation in River Indus. The disaster management authorities have advised the relevant agencies to initiate necessary measures to tackle emergencies.
Talking to Gulf News, NDMA spokesperson Brigadier Mukhtar Ahmad said that the flood caused by India’s water release “is anticipated to reach its peak tomorrow [August 20]” affecting Kasur, Pakpattan, Okara, Bahwalpur, Vehari and Lodhran.
However, he added that the organisation has prepared a comprehensive plan to respond to flood threats in coordination with local relief bodies despite little time to manage the situation.
The NDMA has also alerted army personnel for search, rescue and relief efforts in case of emergencies. Yesterday, more than 100 people were rescued on boats near flood-prone areas of Kasur by the district relief organisation.
Commenting on the situation, Pakistan Commissioner for Indus Waters Shiraz Jamil Memon said “India did not notify Pakistan about releasing additional water into River Sutlej,” that created a severe flood situation.
India action
Meanwhile, “India has closed all kinds of data sharing related to the water agreement between the two countries” risking the fate of the Indus Waters Treaty.
The flood warning in Pakistan has once again stirred up the debate on dams and need for effective flood risk management and resilience.
Dr Imran Khalid, head of Environment and Climate Change at Sustainable Development Policy Institute, urged proper flood planning and response, improving forecasting and evacuation systems, and better data about populations and physical infrastructure at risk.