MULTAN: The swelling waters of River Chenab have surrounded Jalalpur Pirwala in Multan district. Strong flood waves have cut off the town from all sides and forced thousands of residents to leave their homes. On the Uch Sharif highway, an embankment breach has widened, creating further danger for nearby villages. Evacuation is taking place on emergency grounds.
Following directions of Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif, Senior Minister Maryam Aurangzeb and other provincial ministers reached the flood-hit areas. Maryam Aurangzeb personally used loudspeakers to guide people during the evacuation. The Multan commissioner and senior officials have also been supervising the rescue operation that began early in the morning.
According to officials, nearly 90 percent of Jalalpur Pirwala’s rural belt is under water. Dozens of villages near Uch Sharif are also being cleared as floodwaters spread after the breach.
Meanwhile, the flood situation across Punjab’s rivers remains alarming. At Head Panjnad, the water flow has reached 660,000 cusecs and is still rising. At Marala, the flow is 50,000 cusecs. Khanqi Headworks is recording 92,000 cusecs, while Qadirabad has 94,000 cusecs. At Trimmu, the flow is 178,000 cusecs but gradually decreasing.
The Sutlej River at Sulemanki is carrying 124,000 cusecs. The Ravi River at Ganda Singh Wala has risen to 182,000 cusecs, while Jassar reports 23,000 cusecs. At Shahdara, the flow is 31,000 cusecs, at Balloki 63,000 cusecs, and at Sidhnai 78,000 cusecs with a downward trend.
According to the PDMA Director General, the weakening monsoon has reduced the intensity of river flows. Rainfall in upper catchment areas has also stopped, offering some relief.
