High-Level Flood in Chenab, Ravi, Sutlej Rivers Likely in 48 hours

The Punjab Disaster Management Authority (PDMA) has warned of high to very high floods in the Chenab, Ravi, and Sutlej rivers within the next 48 hours. Urban flooding is also possible in Rawalpindi, Lahore, and Gujranwala divisions. Around 150,000 people from riverine areas have already been moved to safer locations.

Evacuations and Alerts

The National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) reported that 89,868 people have been evacuated from Bahawalnagar, 14,140 from Kasur, over 2,000 from Okara, and hundreds from Bahawalpur, Vehari, and Pakpattan. Nearly 40,000 had already shifted earlier after flood warnings. District administrations in Lahore, Sahiwal, Multan, Bahawalpur, Dera Ghazi Khan, Kasur, Okara, Pakpattan, Vehari, Bahawalnagar, Lodhran, and Muzaffargarh have been placed on high alert.

River Conditions

On the Sutlej, water flow at Ganda Singh Wala has exceeded 195,000 cusecs, while Head Sulemanki faces a medium-level flood with 104,000 cusecs inflow and 98,000 cusecs outflow.

On the Ravi, flows include 90,000 cusecs at Jassar, 40,000 cusecs at Shahdara with expectations of 60,000–70,000, 27,000 at Balloki, and 12,000 at Head Sidhnai.

On the Chenab, Khanki recorded 91,000 cusecs inflow and 84,000 outflow, while Head Marala saw 107,000 inflow and 89,000 outflow. Authorities fear a 300,000 cusec surge from India.

Flood Impact

In Bahawalpur and Bahawalnagar, rising Sutlej levels submerged villages and farmland. Embankment breaches in Basti Janan Wali, Basti Bhatiyan, and Chawika cut off road connectivity. In Pakpattan, a 90,000 cusec wave at Baba Farid Bridge displaced 3,000 people. Burewala saw submergence of Sahu Ka and nearby areas, while Chiniot recorded rising Chenab levels with eight relief camps established. In Minchinabad, embankment failures inundated thousands of acres of crops. In Arifwala, several villages and farmland were submerged, damaging roads and isolating settlements.

National Situation

Since June 26, monsoon rains have caused floods, landslides, and other incidents across the country, leaving over 750 dead and causing widespread damage. NDMA has issued fresh alerts for heavy rains and flooding from August 23 to 30.

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