Punjab is on edge as heavy rains in upper catchment areas push major rivers to dangerous levels, prompting authorities to issue high flood warnings for the Ravi, Sutlej, and Chenab. Officials expect the situation to peak by September 5, with millions already affected and large-scale evacuations underway.
The Provincial and National Disaster Management Authorities (PDMA and NDMA) have ordered all departments onto high alert, anticipating “unprecedented” water flows. Punjab Relief Commissioner Nabeel Javed said every agency is on standby following directives from the chief minister to protect lives and infrastructure.
Critical Points Under Strain
Flood control infrastructure across Punjab is facing immense pressure. At Head Sidhnai, water flows are at 137,000 cusecs—dangerously close to breaching capacity. PDMA chief Irfan Ali Kathia warned that upstream inflows from Head Balloki are even higher at 150,000 cusecs, increasing the risk of a dam failure.
The Chenab River is surging toward south Punjab, carrying a massive flood wave. At Head Trimmu, water levels have already crossed 516,000 cusecs, while other key points show alarming readings:
- Qadirabad: 135,000 cusecs
- Khanki: 120,000 cusecs
- Marala: 96,000 cusecs
The Sutlej River remains in severe flood, with 253,000 cusecs recorded at Ganda Singhwala and 124,000 cusecs at Sulemanki. The Ravi is also swelling, reaching 60,000 cusecs at Shahdara.
Kathia warned that 600,000 cusecs of water will reach Alipur by September 5, threatening downstream regions and Sindh by September 6–7. Authorities are weighing drastic measures, including breaching embankments near Sher Shah Bridge to manage the surge.
Adding to the danger, officials reported that Indian reservoirs are completely full, increasing the likelihood of further releases into Pakistani rivers.
Sindh on High Alert
The Indus River is also climbing. At Guddu Barrage in Kashmore, inflows jumped by over 42,000 cusecs in 24 hours, now standing at 360,777 cusecs. Sindh authorities have issued warnings to communities in low-lying areas.
Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Reels from Downpours
Meanwhile, Khyber District in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa has been battered by torrential rain. In Wazir Dhand, a roof collapse killed one person and injured two others, while flash floods swept through Malaguri, washing away a poultry farm. Several homes have been damaged in Ghundi and other villages.
In Peshawar, the Budhani Nallah overflowed to 16,142 cusecs, threatening neighborhoods along Warsak Road, Darmangi, and Regi Larma. Residents have been urged to stay away from submerged roads, power lines, and storm drains.
Massive Evacuation and Relief Push
Authorities have evacuated over 900,000 people from Punjab’s flood-prone zones. The NDMA has dispatched food and emergency supplies, including eight truckloads of rations to Chiniot and additional deliveries to Narowal, Sialkot, Hafizabad, and Wazirabad. Relief operations for Jhang are being scaled up.
Each 46kg ration pack contains 22 essential items, part of the federal government’s directive to strengthen disaster response efforts.
