ISLAMABAD: The Pakistan Meteorological Department (PMD) has warned of “exceptionally high flood levels” in major rivers as heavy rainfall is expected in their upper catchments from August 30 to September 2.
According to the latest advisory of the PMD, the Sutlej River at Ganda Singh Wala will remain at “exceptionally high flood level,” while water levels in the Ravi at Shahdara are expected to gradually decrease from exceptionally high to high in the next 24 hours.
The Chenab at Trimmu is forecast to reach “exceptionally high flood level” within 24 hours, while at Panjnad it is expected to reach “very high flood level” on September 2. Meanwhile, the Indus River at Guddu and Sukkur barrages is predicted to reach very high flood levels on September 4 and 5.
The PMD cautioned that the intensity of rainfall may shift from moderate to heavy, raising concerns of urban flooding across Punjab.
Meanwhile, Field Marshal Chief of Army Staff (COAS) Asim Munir visited flood-affected areas of Punjab on Friday, including Sialkot Sector, Shakargarh, Narowal, and Kartarpur, where he met with the Sikh community and reviewed ongoing rescue and relief operations.
During his interaction with the Sikh community, the COAS assured that all religious sites damaged by the floods — including Gurdwara Darbar Sahib Kartarpur — would be fully restored to their original condition on priority, according to a statement from Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR).
He reiterated that the protection of minorities and their places of worship was the state’s responsibility and pledged that Pakistan would “leave no stone unturned” in fulfilling that duty.
The COAS also undertook an aerial survey of Darbar Sahib Kartarpur to assess the extent of damage.
Read more: Punab Faces Worst Flood In 4 Decades; Kills At Least 25
