Awalpur: After the release of water by India, the water level in the Sutlej River is rising rapidly, resulting in increased flooding in Bahawalpur and its suburbs.
According to the Irrigation Department, the water level at Head Ganda Singh has reached 21.80 feet, while the discharge has been recorded at 174,062 cusecs, which is a very high level of flood. Similarly, medium level flood is ongoing at Head Sulemanki and low level flood at Head Islam, where the water inflow is 14,664 and 46,135 cusecs respectively.
Meanwhile, due to the spread of water in the bed areas of Khairpur Tamiwali, Saddar Bahawalpur and Ahmedpur Sharqia, standing crops including cotton on thousands of acres have been destroyed, while several houses and government schools have also been submerged.
The Irrigation Department said that the district administration has been alerted so that timely relief operations can be carried out in any emergency situation. According to rescue officials, 361 people have been evacuated from the affected areas to safer places so far.