India Releases More Water, Punjab Faces Flood Threat

India has released additional water into the River Sutlej, triggering fears of another major flood wave across several districts in Punjab. High flood alerts were issued downstream from Harike and Ferozepur, with Pakistan’s Ministry of Water Resources notifying all provincial authorities.

The Indian High Commission issued a high flood alert at 8:00 AM. In the River Chenab, a flow of 500,000 cusecs is passing through Trimmu and Head Panjnad, while the Sutlej is facing high flood levels at Ganda Singh Wala. Up to 650,000 cusecs of water may pass through Head Panjnad in the next 24 hours.

Floodwaters have already caused destruction in Bahawalnagar, Bahawalpur, Pakpattan, Muzaffargarh, Arifwala, Mailsi, and Alipur. Protective embankments have broken in multiple areas, submerging dozens of villages and displacing thousands.

Rescue teams, with the help of boats, evacuated over 120 women, children, and elderly people from submerged areas. In some regions, entire villages have been cut off due to the breach of embankments, leaving residents stranded without shelter.