High Flood Alert Issued for Kasur, Okara, Other Cities as South Punjab Remains at Flood Risk

The rising water level in the Chenab River at Head Muhammadwala and Sher Shah Bridge has created a serious threat to Multan and Muzaffargarh, as the extremely high flood has not receded even after 36 hours.

According to a sources, the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) has also issued a high-level flood warning for Kasur, Okara, Pakpattan, Burewala, Arifwala, and Bahawalnagar due to the increasing water levels in the Sutlej River.

Multan Under Threat

Multan Deputy Commissioner Waseem Hameed Sandhu said the water level in the Chenab River is rising steadily, reaching Akbar Flood Embankment and Sher Shah Bridge, inundating several villages.

“The situation may worsen as the waters of the Ravi and Chenab rivers are about to merge,” he warned. At Grewala Chowk, the water level has risen above 414 feet and continues to increase. He added that if the level crosses 417 feet, the administration may decide to breach the embankment at Head Muhammadwala. A record 400,000 people have already been shifted to safer locations.

Multan Commissioner Aamir Kareem Khan confirmed that the water level at Head Muhammadwala has been recorded at 413.66 feet, only a few feet below the critical mark of 417 feet. He said the decision to break the embankment would depend on the speed and intensity of the flow.

Technical Concerns Over Flood Levels

Experts have expressed alarm, arguing that the actual dangerous level at Head Muhammadwala is lower than the officially cited 417 feet. Former irrigation officials said the threshold was fixed based on the 1992 flood when no bridge existed and the area was an open floodplain. Since the bridge’s construction, the level has not been reassessed, creating new risks.

They warned that due to the slow discharge at Head Muhammadwala, areas from Jiwana Bangla to the headworks are being submerged, while water from the Ravi remains blocked at Sadhnai Headworks. Experts urged the government to redefine the danger level before the current flood merges with waters arriving at Trimmu Headworks.

PDMA Figures

According to PDMA:

• Marala Headworks: 117,369 cusecs

• Khanki Headworks: 248,840 cusecs

• Qadirabad Headworks: 385,228 cusecs

• Chiniot Bridge: 554,998 cusecs

• Rawaz Bridge: water level 520.50 feet (below 526-foot limit but rising)

• Trimmu Headworks: 239,545 cusecs

• Head Muhammadwala: 414 feet (max limit 417.50 feet)

• Sher Shah Bridge: 393.40 feet (just below 393.50-foot maximum)

Indian Dams Add Risk

NDMA chief Irfan Ali Kathia said water levels in Indian dams are increasing, and India has issued seven warnings about gate openings, three of them in the past 24 hours.

He noted that Ravi, Sutlej, and Chenab will be further affected. The situation at Sadhnai Headworks on the Ravi was described as “concerning” as water levels continue to rise at Jassar and Shahdara.

Kathia added that 3.8 million people have been evacuated from Punjab’s affected areas, with major relocations from Toba Tek Singh, Pir Mahal, Kabirwala, and Khanewal in the past 24 hours.

Sialkot Cut Off

In Sialkot, road access to villages has been cut. Eighty-five villages of Bajwat near the border with India are now isolated after floods and heavy rain washed away a bridge. Residents have been without electricity since more than 500 mm of rainfall on August 26. A temporary Bailey bridge collapsed in the latest flood surge.

Sialkot Deputy Commissioner Saba Asghar Ali said local markets in Bajwat are meeting some needs, while efforts continue to restore access. A local official said prolonged power outages have created a critical situation. Chaprar town and three nearby villages are also affected, with supply of essential goods disrupted.

Flash Flood in Gilgit-Baltistan

In Diamer district of Gilgit-Baltistan, the Deyural Valley was hit by sudden flooding, damaging at least 20 houses and agricultural lands. Assistant Commissioner Waseem Abbas said heavy rainfall struck the Gumari area at 6 a.m., destroying five houses completely while fields and trees were washed away. Government spokesperson Faizullah Faraq said timely warnings saved dozens of lives.

Weather Forecast

The Meteorological Department has forecast another spell of monsoon rains from September 6 to 9. Punjab districts including Sialkot, Multan, and Khanewal are expected to receive rainfall, while most districts of Balochistan may see rain and thunderstorms between September 7 and 9. Kashmir is expected to experience rain from September 6 to 8, and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa from September 7 to 9.

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