Severe flooding in Punjab has left over 300 people, including a six-member police team, stranded in floodwaters in Jhelum.
A spokesperson of Met Office told our correspondent that the highest rainfall of 193 mm was recorded in Islamabad, 179 mm in Rawalpindi, 167 in Mandi Bahuddin, 142 mm in Chakwal and 81 mm in Jhelum.
The police officials, including the Station House Officer of Chautala Police Station, sought refuge on a tractor-trolley but remained trapped for several hours due to the intense water flow. One constable was swept away during the incident.
Rescue operations were severely hindered by strong currents and relentless rain. Eventually, the trapped officers were rescued following prolonged and challenging efforts by emergency teams. A state of emergency has been declared in the affected areas, and residents have been warned to avoid high-risk zones.
In Rajanpur, floodwaters from the Koh Suleiman mountain range have submerged large areas, isolating numerous villages and destroying vast tracts of standing crops.
In Mangla, a high flood alert has been issued, with the Flood Forecasting Division warning that the Jhelum River’s inflow may rise from 350,000 to 450,000 cusecs. Authorities remain on high alert. Meanwhile, water flow at Guddu Barrage on the Indus River has risen by 10,000 cusecs in 24 hours.
Current dam conditions show significant inflows and outflows. Total usable water storage in Tarbela, Mangla, and Chashma reservoirs stands at 8.328 million acre-feet, as per WAPDA’s latest figures.
