LAHORE – Punjab is facing one of the worst flood emergencies in years as exceptionally high water levels in the Chenab, Sutlej, and Indus rivers threaten millions of lives and properties. Authorities have issued urgent flood alerts in Punjab and warned residents in low-lying areas to evacuate immediately.
At Ganda Singh Wala, the Chenab River has crossed extreme flood levels, with dangerous flows expected to continue until September 10. Meanwhile, the Indus River near Guddu Barrage is forecast to face high to very high floods from September 6–7.
Heavy monsoon rains have forced authorities to open dam spillways, close bridges, and carry out mass evacuations. At Head Marala, water discharge has surpassed 531,000 cusecs, forcing the closure of the Chenab bridge and deployment of police. Flows remain dangerously high at Khanki (339,470 cusecs), Qadirabad (232,450 cusecs), Trimmu (355,744 cusecs) and Panjnad (182,107 cusecs) headworks. The Sutlej River flood is worsening with 269,501 cusecs recorded at Ganda Singh Wala and 122,736 cusecs at Sulemanki Headworks.
So far, over 3,300 villages in Punjab have been submerged, displacing 3.36 million people. Relief agencies have set up 400+ relief and medical camps and 385 veterinary camps. In Bahawalnagar alone, more than 6,690 people from 124 villages were forced to evacuate, while nearly 800,000 animals were shifted to safer areas.
NDMA Flood Warning
The National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) has issued fresh flood warnings, confirming that floodwaters from India and occupied Kashmir are flowing into Pakistan. Rivers Ravi, Chenab, and Jhelum are expected to converge at Panjnad in Bahawalpur, Rajanpur, and Muzaffargarh by September 4, heightening the risk of catastrophic flooding.
At Khanpur Dam, spillways have been opened after the reservoir reached full capacity. Explosives were also used at Myi Safuran bund near Head Sidhnai to divert waters into safer channels and prevent breaches.
Citizens Advised to Stay Alert
Punjab authorities have urged citizens to stay vigilant, particularly in low-lying areas and riverbeds, as further rainfall and flood surges are expected until September 10. Continuous monitoring, evacuation drives, and protective measures remain underway to safeguard communities, farmland, and livestock.
