Indus River Flood Situation Worsens at Kotri Barrage

Islamabad:Water inflow at **Kotri Barrage** in the Indus River continues to rise, with an increase of **12,000 cusecs in 24 hours**, pushing the total flow to **420,000 cusecs**, the **Flood Forecasting Division Lahore** reported. A **medium-level flood** persists at Kotri, while Mangla Dam is nearing capacity and other rivers have returned to normal.

Flooding has submerged more villages in **Thatta’s katcha areas**, damaging crops including **rice, cotton, bananas, and papaya** on hundreds of acres. Residents are being shifted to protective embankments and safer locations. Rising pressure is reported on embankments in **Jamshoro’s Shah Owais Union Council** and nearby katcha villages, while in **Nawabshah’s Sakrand and Mid-Mangli areas**, floodwaters have surrounded settlements.

In **Sujawal district**, water levels on protective embankments remain high, prompting the district administration to establish **tent villages** for displaced families.

Meanwhile, in **Jalalpur Pirwala**, floodwaters from the **Chenab and Sutlej rivers** have yet to recede, leaving dozens of villages underwater. Residents along the **Uch Sharif Road** await water drainage to return home.

Repair work on the **Noraja Bhutta breach** is ongoing, while the **M-5 Motorway** from Multan to Jhangra Interchange remains closed for the **14th consecutive day**. Efforts are also underway to restore a **damaged Sui gas pipeline**, while large areas of **Rahim Yar Khan, Bahawalnagar, and Bahawalpur** remain affected, where damage assessment surveys have begun.