Punjab villages submerged as India diverts excess water to Pakistan
Several villages in the Pakistani Punjab province were flooded after India unexpectedly diverted excess water into River Ravi and Chenab.
The water released by India overflowed the Ravi River, Ravi Oaj, Nullah Bain, Nullahd Deck and Nullah Basinthar, causing low-level flooding in the Chenab River near Bahawalpur and Jhang.
Villages and crops nearby rivers and nullahs were inundated with flood waters that could impact Pakistan’s agriculture production.
On the other hand, after the flooding in the Gaj River, the land connection could not be restored to the submerged areas of Kachho even after a week.
After the continuous increase in the water level in the Indus River, 370,000 cusecs of water is flowing from the Indus River at Kot Mithan.
Meanwhile, Indus Water Commissioner Syed Mehr Ali Shah has sent a letter to the Indian counterpart, demanding him to share information about releasing excess water into Pakistani rivers timely.
He wrote the letter after Gurdaspur administration announced on India media that it was going to release 200,000 cusecs water into Pakistan.
Shah said that India should give prior warning before releasing the water as Pakistan needs to take measures to shift people and cattle to safe places to avoid damages.
