Karachi, Pakistan
Authorities on Sunday accelerated evacuations from settlements along a river as devastating floods inundated large swaths of north-eastern Pakistan, prompting more than 100,000 people to flee.
The Sutlej River, which flows through northern India and Pakistan, is rising as India is releasing more water to downstream areas in Pakistan after massive rains, officials said.
Two major Indian dams built on the river are again approaching full capacity and further rains could lead to the release of water from these reservoirs, posing a threat to at least seven Punjab districts.
Mohsin Naqvi, Punjab’s acting chief minister, described the latest floods as “the worst in 35 years.”
Deeba Shahnaz, spokesperson for the Punjab Rescue Department, told Anadolu that more than 100,000 people have been evacuated from Kasur, Pakpattan, Pakpattan, Vehari, Bahawalnagar, Lodhran, Multan and Bahawalpur districts since July 9.
Multiple clips broadcast by local broadcaster Geo News showed army troops and rescue workers moving people and livestock from downstream areas using boats.
Residents could also be seen wading through waist-deep water along with livestock and belongings to reach safety.
According to Shahnaz, since July 9, 17 people have been killed in flood-related accidents, while 36 have been injured.
Longtime rivals Pakistan and India share the water of six rivers under the Indus Water Treaty (IWT), an agreement brokered by the World Bank in 1960.
Under the agreement, the waters of the eastern rivers (Sutlej, Beas and Ravi) are allocated to India, while the waters of the three western rivers (Indus, Jhelum and Chenab) go to Pakistan.
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