MULTAN: The serious shortcomings in river monitoring have been revealed, as it has come to light that no gauges are installed to measure water flow in cusecs at key points in Multan.

According to the Superintendent Engineer of the Irrigation Department, there are no gauges at Head Muhammad Wala Bridge and Shershah Bridge to assess the flow of floodwater.

Instead, officials estimate the volume passing through Multan. He added that only the water level height is recorded at these locations, a decades-old practice, while proper cusec measurement gauges are available only downstream at Head Trimmu and Head Panjnad.

Meanwhile, the flood in the Chenab River has inundated dozens of villages in Mouza Nawabpur, where water has caused widespread damage. Homes and shops in the locality are submerged under several feet of water.

However, residents had vacated the area in advance, and no loss of life has been reported so far.

Earlier, India has informed Pakistan about a high-level flood in the Sutlej River, prompting the Ministry of Water Resources to issue a flood alert.

According to an official communication from the Indian High Commission, water levels at Harike downstream and Ferozepur downstream in the Sutlej River have reached a high-flood stage.

In response, Pakistani authorities have initiated precautionary measures and advised relevant departments to remain on alert for any potential emergency situation. while a similar alert has been issued for the Tawi River at Jammu.

Pakistani authorities have directed all concerned departments to remain on high alert and take precautionary measures to minimize potential damage.