LAHORE: A continued surge in water levels at the Kotri Barrage on the Indus River is triggering flooding in adjacent villages, inflicting severe damage on crops, including rice, cotton, and fruit plantations.
Over the past 24 hours, the water inflow at Kotri increased by 12,000 cusecs, reaching a total flow of 420,000 cusecs. According to the Flood Forecasting Division in Lahore, the barrage is experiencing a moderate flood. While Mangla Dam is nearing its maximum capacity, other rivers have stabilized and returned to normal levels.
Floodwaters have inundated more low-lying villages in Thatta district, submerging hundreds of acres of farmland. Crops such as banana, papaya, and cotton have been destroyed, forcing local communities to evacuate to safer locations and protective embankments.
In Jamshoro, water pressure has intensified around Innerpur, Union Council Shah Owais, and nearby riverine villages. Similarly, floodwaters have reached villages near protective embankments in Sakrand Mid Mangli, Nawabshah.
Sujawal district is also under threat, with rising water levels along the protective embankments of the Indus River. Temporary tent settlements have been established to shelter displaced residents.
Meanwhile, in southern Punjab, areas like Jalalpur Pirwala remain waterlogged due to overflowing from the Chenab and Sutlej rivers. Many settlements are still submerged, and residents along the Uch Sharif Road are waiting for the water to recede so they can return home.
Repair efforts continue on the breached Noraja Bhutta embankment, while the M-5 Motorway has been shut between Multan and Jhangra Interchange for 14 consecutive days. Gas supply restoration is also underway following damage to Sui gas pipelines.
Large portions of Rahim Yar Khan, Bahawalnagar, and Bahawalpur districts have suffered flood-related damage. Survey teams have begun assessing losses in these areas.
Efforts led by Punjab’s Minister for Construction and Communications, Malik Sohaib Ahmed Bharth, are focused on restoring infrastructure. Of the 71 damaged bridge approaches, 53 have been repaired. Additionally, 131 out of 439 damaged culverts and 49 out of 53 arterial roads have been restored. Restoration work also includes 134 collector roads and 636 local roads out of 844 affected.
The Communication and Works Department remains active in affected areas, including Alipur and Seetpur. Repair work has been completed on key breaches in Liaqatpur, Khan Garh, and Doma Road. Roads in Ahmedpur East, including the route from Nazru Wali Hatti to Makhan Bela and the Seetpur Mariri road, have also been rebuilt. Areas like Basti Azeem Shah and Kal Kanwal have seen full restoration.
Despite these ongoing recovery efforts, the Khanewal Shorkot railway line remains non-operational after 20 days, causing considerable disruption for rail passengers.
