Islamabad — The National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) on Thursday issued an urgent evacuation order for communities living along the Sutlej River after a sharp spike in upstream discharge raised fears of worsening flooding in the coming days.
At 10 pm, water flow at Harike Barrage surged to 111,461 cusecs, triggering heavy downstream movement. The NDMA projected that discharge at Ganda Singh Wala could rise to 100,000–110,000 cusecs, while Head Suleimanki may receive about 80,000 cusecs.
The National Emergencies Operation Center (NEOC) cautioned that the situation could escalate further as the eighth monsoon spell brings intense rainfall in the upper catchment areas. Flow at Ganda Singh Wala may surge to 120,000 cusecs by August 23.
Earlier, Punjab’s Provincial Disaster Management Authority (PDMA) confirmed that the Sutlej was already in medium-level flood at Ganda Singh Wala, with water flow recorded at 95,000 cusecs. Flood classification defines 80,000 cusecs as low-level, 120,000 cusecs as medium, and 175,000 cusecs as high-level flood.
The NDMA placed all emergency departments on high alert, urging residents to comply with evacuation orders, safeguard livestock and crops, and avoid canals, nullahs, and inundated areas. Relief measures include deployment of 298 vehicles, 13 rescue boats, 16 life rings, and 210 life jackets.
Meanwhile, Tarbela Dam — Pakistan’s second-largest reservoir — reached its maximum conservation capacity of 1,550 feet above mean sea level, storing 5.728 million acre-feet of usable water, according to WAPDA.
Officials warn that sustained rains and reservoir releases may intensify flooding in the Sutlej basin, making evacuation and vigilance crucial.
