India has opened spillways on the Chenab and Ravi rivers without prior warning, causing flooding in thousands of villages and submerging large areas of land in Pakistan, according to reports.
The Provincial Disaster Management Authority (PDMA) Punjab has issued flood warnings as water levels are rapidly rising at Qadirabad Barrage on the Chenab River. The water flow in the Chenab River is expected to increase from 200,000 cusecs to 250,000 cusecs.
In the Ravi River, a water flow of 40,000 to 55,000 cusecs is anticipated at Jassar and Shahdara. PDMA Punjab has issued a low-level flood warning for these areas.
Authorities have advised residents in affected areas to relocate to safer locations. The sudden release of water has created an emergency situation in parts of Pakistan.
The unexpected water release has raised concerns about regional water management practices and their impact on neighboring countries.