The government has issued an alert that the flood in the Sutlej River, which is one of the eastern rivers that drain in Pakistan, is beyond extrema and the river water is likely to rise over the next 48 hours. Officials said that the river flow may rise up to 160,000 cusecs at Ganda Singh Wala, a border village near India. The city of Firozpur is approximately 10km away and this was a major crossing location between the two nations.
The water level has now crossed 21 feet at Ganda Singh Wala isolating at least 30 villages with surrounding places. Early assessment has indicated that crops such as rice, and maize, stretched across close to 3,000 acres, have been devastated. Reports also show that in 10 villages alone farmers have lost all their harvest.
Villages around the Sutlej are particularly vulnerable to flooding as the depth of this river is comparatively low. Officials said India had discharged water into the river without prior caution following consistent heavy falls in its catchments areas in recent weeks.
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Relief-wise, over 5, 500 inhabitants are evacuated to safer grounds and temporary shelters initiated in local schools. The situation is being monitored and authorities have advised people of nearby communities living along the river Sutlej to remain alert and evacuate to relief camps in case the river breaks its banks.
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