Punjab Braces for Potential Flooding as River Levels Rise Amid Monsoon Surge
Authorities urge vigilance as rains intensify across northern Pakistan and Indian upstream regions
Punjab, Pakistan – August 6:
Authorities in Pakistan are on high alert as rising water levels in major rivers across Punjab raise the specter of flooding, following a surge in monsoon activity across the region and heavy rainfall in India’s northern states.
The National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) has issued a fresh hydrological alert, particularly warning of possible flooding in the Sutlej River due to increasing water inflows from upstream India. This comes as part of a broader warning that includes the Chenab, Ravi, and other rivers, with forecasts pointing to high rainfall through August 8.
Indian Dams Contributing to Rising Water Volumes
A sudden spike in water discharge was observed Thursday at the Sutlej River downstream of Ferozepur (Ganda Singh Wala), where flow levels jumped from 28,657 to 33,653 cusecs within just one hour. While such levels are currently within manageable range, authorities fear that further increases are likely due to upstream developments.
India has been releasing water from its Pong Dam on the Beas River in Himachal Pradesh, while the Bhakra Dam on the Sutlej is also nearing capacity. Both reservoirs are now over 55% full, and Indian media reports suggest that additional water releases may be imminent — posing a heightened risk of flooding on the Pakistani side.
These releases, combined with rainfall across Indian-administered Jammu and Kashmir, Uttarakhand, and parts of Punjab and Haryana, could push water levels in the Sutlej into flood territory in the coming days.
Urban Centers Could Face Flash Floods
The Pakistan Meteorological Department (PMD) has also flagged concerns over urban flooding. Intermittent but moderate-to-heavy rains are expected to continue in northern and central Pakistan, including major urban areas.
Rawalpindi, Lahore, Gujranwala, and Islamabad are particularly vulnerable, with low-lying areas at risk over the next 48 hours. The Indus River is currently experiencing a low-flood situation at Tarbela, Guddu, and Sukkur, but tributaries and local nullahs — especially those feeding into the Ravi — may swell to low or medium flood levels.
Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Northern Areas Also at Risk
Further north, rainfall is intensifying in mountainous regions, with streams and small rivers in districts like Swat, Dir, Mansehra, and Kohistan expected to see increased flow. The PMD has warned that heavy rains on August 6 could trigger landslides in Gilgit-Baltistan, Azad Kashmir, Murree, and the Galiyat region — all areas with steep terrain and loose soil vulnerable to mudslides.
Urban flooding could also strike low-lying parts of Peshawar and Nowshera, where drainage infrastructure is often overwhelmed during peak monsoon.
Emergency Services Mobilized
The Punjab Provincial Disaster Management Authority (PDMA) has issued an advisory directing all relevant government departments — including health, transport, irrigation, and local governance bodies — to remain on standby.
PDMA Director General Irfan Ali Kathia emphasized the importance of inter-departmental coordination to respond swiftly to any emergencies that may develop during this sixth spell of monsoon rains, which is expected to last until August 7 before gradually subsiding.
