Water levels surge at Kotri, villages submerged, crops devastated

KARACHI: The water level at Kotri Barrage in the Indus River continues to rise, with a 12,000 cusecs increase over the past 24 hours, bringing the total flow to 420,000 cusecs, according to the Flood Forecasting Division in Lahore.

Authorities said a moderate flood persists at Kotri Barrage, while Mangla Dam is nearing full capacity and water levels in other rivers have returned to normal.

The swelling river has inundated several villages in the Kacha areas of Thatta, submerging hundreds of acres of crops, including rice, cotton, bananas, and papayas. The flooding has forced residents to relocate to protective embankments and safer areas.

Rising water pressure is being reported in Jamshoro’s Inner Por area, Union Council Shah Owais, and other Kacha villages, while in Nawabshah’s Sakrand Mid Mangli, floodwaters have surrounded multiple villages.

In Sujawal district, flood conditions persist along the protective embankments of the Indus River, where water levels continue to rise. The district administration has established tent settlements to accommodate displaced families and provide essential relief as authorities remain on high alert.

On the other hand, flood water could not be reduced in Jalalpur Pirwala, affected by the Chenab and Sutlej, dozens of settlements are still under water. Flood victims on Uch Sharif Road are waiting for water to return home.

Meanwhile, the M-5 Motorway remains closed for traffic from Multan to Jhangra Interchange for the 14th consecutive day, causing significant disruption to transportation and cargo movement in the region.

Repair of the flood -affected gas pipeline is also underway, a large area of ​​Rahim Yar Khan, Bahawalnagar and Bahawalpur has been affected, after which the survey of damage was launched.