“Pakistan: ‘India opens floodgates of Ravi River’s Thein Dam’… ‘Next 48 hours are crucial'”
India: “Sharing flood-related information with Pakistan on humanitarian grounds”,
, On the 26th, flooded areas in Lahore, Pakistan, rose due to water released from an Indian dam
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, (Seoul = Yonhap News) Reporter Yoo Chang-yeop = The eastern province of Punjab in Pakistan is facing a flood crisis due to ongoing monsoon (rainy season) heavy rains and water release from an upstream Indian dam.
, According to Reuters on the 27th, authorities in Pakistan’s Punjab province announced late the previous night that Indian authorities had opened all floodgates of the Thein Dam located upstream on the Ravi River.
, No statement has been made by the Indian side regarding the opening of the floodgates.
, In response, authorities in Punjab province, which includes Lahore, Pakistan’s second-largest city, have declared an “exceptionally high” risk of flooding, according to Pakistan’s Punjab provincial authorities.
, The announcement came a day after Pakistan warned of potential flood risks downstream due to planned water releases from another dam on the Ravi River, the Mandopur Dam, by India.
, The Ravi River flows from Indian Punjab to Pakistani Punjab.
, A Pakistan Punjab official stated, “The flood situation is severe,” emphasizing that “the next 48 hours are crucial.”
, Previously, a spokesperson for Pakistan’s National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) noted that satellite image analyses show that the Thein Dam is 97% full and can release water at any time.
, India discharges water regularly when dam reservoirs are full.
, The previous day, an Indian government official did not specify any particular dam but mentioned that, due to monsoon rains, a second flood warning was shared with Pakistan within two days through diplomatic channels.
, Reuters reported that when asked if further flood warnings would be communicated to Pakistan, the official replied affirmatively.
, Another Indian government official stated that, in light of the significant damage caused by heavy rains in upstream Indian areas as well, India is sharing flood-related information to prevent damage to Pakistan on humanitarian grounds.
, This cooperation has occurred amid ongoing tensions between the two countries following a military confrontation in May, despite ‘fragile relations’.
, Previously, on the 22nd, Pakistan’s Punjab authorities began evacuating residents in anticipation of potential flooding.
, Since the 14th, approximately 150,000 residents from Punjab have been evacuated, including around 35,000 who voluntarily left their homes due to the potential for flooding.
, Pakistan’s Punjab authorities are evacuating residents from areas around three rivers, including Ravi, Sutlej, and Chenab, and military forces are aiding in the evacuation.
, Since the monsoon began at the end of June, floods have claimed 802 lives in Pakistan, with half occurring this month alone. In the Indian-administered Kashmir region, 68 fatalities have been reported due to flooding this month, including 8 the previous day.
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