ISLAMABAD (Kashmir English): The Provincial Disaster Management Authority (PDMA) on Wednesday warned that the rising floodwater levels could damage the Qadirabad headworks on the Chenab River.
In a recent statement, PDMA said that the Head Qadirabad River is under severe pressure and at risk of collapse. “If the headworks collapse, the districts of Hafizabad and Chiniot will be severely affected,” it added.
According to PDMA Director General Irfan Ali Kathia, water flow at Qadirabad Headworks has surged to 1,077,000 cusecs, far beyond its designed capacity of 800,000 cusecs.
He stated that water pressure due to the extremely high-level flood continues at Head Qadirabad is eroding the left embankment, creating the risk of a major crack.
Machinery and staff have been deployed to strengthen the structure, he said, adding that rescue officials have ordered the immediate evacuation of nearby villages, with Punjab Police instructed to assist.
“Teams from the district administration and irrigation department are present at the scene,” the statement added.
In a recent briefing, the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) chairman said the Chenab River recorded a high flow of 700,000 cusecs at Marala last night, which has since reduced to 550,000 cusecs
At Khanki, a peak of one million cusecs is currently passing, and pressure is expected to build further at Qadirabad in the coming days.
The chairman said water flow will remain intense between Khanki and Qadirabad for the next 12–14 hours, while low-level flooding continues at Head Trimmu.
At the Ravi River, the flow is 230,000 cusecs at Jassar and 78,000 cusecs at Shahdara, where monitoring is under way.
Pressure is rising between Shahdara and Balloki, leading to medium-level flooding, and rainfall is expected to further raise pressure on these points in the coming days, particularly in Sialkot, Narowal, Gujranwala, and adjoining areas.
