Pakistan Prepares for Flood Disaster After India Warns of Dam Water Release

Pakistani officials announced today, Tuesday, the evacuation of more than 150,000 people from areas along the banks of three major rivers in the agricultural province of Punjab, following a sudden warning from India about its intention to release large amounts of water from its dams due to flooding caused by heavy rains.

The Pakistani authorities reported that India informed them on Monday that it would discharge excess water from the Madhopur Dam, which has filled rapidly, located on the Indian side of Punjab.

This area is known as the "breadbasket of Pakistan" due to its vital role in providing the majority of the national food supply.

These warnings come amid continued heavy rains and flooding that have swept through India and Pakistan in recent weeks, as the flowing water from India through three major rivers, Ravi, Sutlej, and Chenab, threatens to inundate vast areas of agricultural land in Pakistan.

Mazhar Hussain, an official at the National Disaster Management Authority in Pakistan, explained that authorities have evacuated hundreds of villages located along the banks of these rivers in anticipation of flooding, noting that India will continue to release calculated amounts of water in the coming days.

For its part, the Indian government confirmed that it has sent multiple warnings to Pakistan through diplomatic channels, but did not specify the dams involved precisely, indicating that more warnings may be issued as the rains continue.

This move comes amid significant concerns that the water release could worsen agricultural conditions in the Pakistani province of Punjab, which may negatively impact food security in the country.