According to a spokesperson for the Motorway Police, traffic has been closed at various points on the M5 Motorway due to the flood situation. Vehicles cannot enter Sher Shah from Uch Sharif, Jhangra and Jalalpur interchanges, while traffic is also closed from Shah Shams, Sher Shah and Shujaabad interchanges towards Jalalpur Jhangra. Officials say that there is a risk of a crack due to flood water passing under the motorway. Due to the combination of Sutlej and Chenab waters, the flow is going towards Jalalpur Pirwala, due to which the Uch Sharif Highway has also been closed for all types of traffic.
DG PDMA Irfan Ali Kathia said that there is a risk of a big crack in the motorway due to water erosion, however, PDMA Punjab, NHA and other agencies are working together to protect the motorway. He said that sandbags and stones are being used to prevent erosion and a significant reduction in the water level is expected at Jalalpur Pirwala in the next 24 hours. According to him, the flow of water in the rivers is also decreasing rapidly, the flow at Panjnad has reduced to 392,000 cusecs, while 627,000 cusecs is being recorded at Guddu Barrage.
Meanwhile, hundreds of villages have been submerged due to flood water in various districts of Punjab, including Shujaabad, Rahim Yar Khan, Ahmedpur Sharqia, Rajanpur and Vehari.
