Kasur Authorities Prepare to Breach Embankment as Floodwaters Hit Record Levels
Kasur, Punjab: Floodwaters at Ganda Singh Headworks surged past 385,000 cusecs on Friday, reaching the highest level in three decades and prompting authorities to prepare for an emergency breach of the Rahimyar embankment to protect Kasur city.
Punjab PDMA Director General Irfan Ali Kathia confirmed the decision to breach the embankment to save urban areas. The district administration evacuated camps at Talwar Post (Ganda Singh) and Kothi Fateh Muhammad (Kanganpur) after cracks appeared, while floodwater submerged the Joint Check Post (JCP) for the first time since 1988. Loudspeakers at local mosques were used to warn residents of 17 vulnerable villages to evacuate immediately.
Police deployment increased from 600 to 710 personnel to assist with the evacuation, supervised by DPO Essa Khan. In Mandi Usmanwala, nine villages including Rajowal, Najabat, Sadar, Rangaywala, Bodh Singh, Bairi Peer, Vehari, Jalokay Dona, and Jhanga Singh were cut off by Sutlej floodwaters, prompting army and police evacuation operations.
Elsewhere, the River Ravi is swelling and approaching high flood levels, threatening dozens of villages in Phoolnagar, Pattoki, and Halla. Villages such as Bhaiphero, Rakh Jok, Nathi Kgalas, Lambay Jageer, Kot Sardar, Hinjray Kalan, Baharwal Kalan, and Nau Shahrakay have been declared vulnerable, with evacuation plans set to begin within 24 hours.
Authorities continue to monitor the situation closely, urging residents to follow warnings and move to safer areas.
