Threat of flood looms in Sutlej, Indus after India releases water unannounced

A threat of flood looms as India in its latest act of aggression against Pakistan, has released water into Sutlej and River Indus without informing the authorities.

The National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) said that India has opened three out of five spillways of Ladakh Dam. It warned that at least 150,000 to 200,000 cusecs water is expected to spill into Ganda Singh Wala, a village in Pakistan near Kasur located at the border, during the next 12 to 24 hours.

The NDMA has advised the administration of Kasur and other districts located at the bank of River Sutlej to stay alert and take precautionary measures to prevent loss of lives. India has also released into the Alchi dam. The water would take 12 hours to reach Tarbela dam and around 15 to 18 hours to reach Dera Ismail Khan.

The authority has directed the local administrations to restrict boating and swimming and to monitor the catchment areas along the Indus. India has yet to inform Pakistan about release of water in River Sutlej. As per the agreement, the neighbouring country is bound to inform Pakistan from July 1.