LAHORE:

Authorities in Pakistan issued fresh flood alerts on Monday after India released a large volume of water into the Sutlej and Chenab rivers without prior notice, raising the threat of severe inundation across multiple districts of Punjab.

Officials said India bypassed the communication channels laid down in the Indus Waters Treaty (IWT) and informed Islamabad only after the release, through the Indian High Commission.

Pakistan's Ministry of Water Resources confirmed high flood levels at Lower Harike and Lower Ferozepur on the Sutlej, with water flows surging since early September 1.

Punjab's Provincial Disaster Management Authority (PDMA) warned that floodwaters from the Sutlej could affect nine districts: Kasur, Okara, Pakpattan, Bahawalnagar, Vehari, Lodhran, Bahawalpur, Multa

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