The River Chenab was again in high flood at Marala on Wednesday after India released water from reservoirs in Occupied Kashmir a day earlier, officials said.
According to the Provincial Disaster Management Authority (PDMA), an alert was issued late Tuesday night for a high-level flood in Marala downstream, urging the public to take precautionary measures and cooperate with district administrations and rescue agencies.
Just hours earlier, the PDMA had cautioned that the Chenab would remain in high flood for the next 24 hours at Marala, Khanki and Qadirabad. At 4pm on Wednesday, the waterflow at Marala Headworks was recorded at 548,235 cusecs.
Authorities said that India had also released additional water into the Ravi and Sutlej, resulting in rising flood levels at Jassar (Narowal) and Ganda Singh Wala (Kasur).
Both rivers were already inundating vast tracts of land downstream of Balloki and Ganda Singh Wala, displacing thousands of families.
The deluge in Sutlej is exerting extreme pressure on embankments around Islam Headworks in Bahawalpur after coursing through Pakpattan, Bahawalnagar and Vehari. Large parts of these districts had already been submerged last week, with residents losing standing crops, livestock and homes.
Read More: Flood devastates Jhang as Chenab overflows banks
Adding to the crisis, heavy rainfall lashed Gujrat, Sialkot and parts of northeastern Punjab during the past 24 hours. Gujrat alone received continuous downpour for 14 hours.
Officials said the fresh spell of rains had multiplied the hardships of flood-hit communities and stretched relief and rescue operations.
The National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) has warned that the current monsoon system will continue to affect upper parts of the country for the next 24 to 48 hours.
With climate change intensifying the scale and frequency of such extreme weather events across South Asia, experts warn of worsening risks for Pakistan.
Despite mounting evidence, powerful fossil fuel lobbies continue to sponsor studies aimed at downplaying the scientifically established impact of global warming, climate campaigners say.
