Gujarat Submerged After 506 mm Rain in 20 Hours; Educational Institutions Closed

Gujarat: A record 506 mm of rainfall in just 20 hours has inundated Gujarat, leading to severe urban flooding across the city. Roads, offices, educational institutions, and residential areas were submerged, forcing the closure of all educational institutions, media reports confirmed.

According to the Deputy Commissioner of Gujarat, the heavy downpour caused the drain on Qamar Sialvi Road to overflow, with water entering houses and shops. Key areas including Kachhari Road, WAPDA Colony, Sessions Court, and District Jail were engulfed in floodwaters, prompting the transfer of many prisoners to Lahore and Gujranwala.

Meanwhile, a second major flood wave from India has entered the Chenab River, raising the water levels in the Ravi and Sutlej rivers to dangerous levels. At Shahdara, the Ravi River has begun rising again, while the Chenab Bridge at Head Baloki has been closed to all traffic. The administration at Head Marala remains on high alert.

Authorities have completed preparations for a safety cut near Head Khanki, as the water flow has crossed 600,000 cusecs.

Widespread Impact Across Punjab

Other districts of Punjab have also been severely affected. At Head Ganda Singh Wala in Kasur, a dangerous release of 319,000 cusecs into the Sutlej River has submerged dozens of villages. Reports confirm that 132 villages and 18,000 acres of agricultural land are underwater, with crops worth crores of rupees destroyed. Many affected families are now living under the open sky.

Breaches in safety dams have further worsened the situation in Ladan, Kabir Wala, Kund Sargana, Qatalpur, and Barbegi, inundating several settlements.

High-level flooding at the confluence of the Chenab and Ravi rivers has raised alarm in Multan and Muzaffargarh. Water levels at Muhammadwala and Sher Shah have reached 412 feet, just five feet below the danger mark.

At Panjnad, inflows of 170,000 cusecs and outflows of 155,000 cusecs have been recorded. While officials state that no embankment is currently under threat and no breach is required, floodwaters are expected to pass through Muzaffargarh and enter Alipur by Thursday evening.

Rescue Operations Underway

On the instructions of Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz, police and district administration teams are engaged in round-the-clock rescue operations. Authorities warn that the flood situation could deteriorate further due to additional rainfall and water releases from the Indian side. Citizens have been advised to remain cautious and move to safer locations.

Read More: Punjab Floods Update: 46 Lives Lost, 3.5 Million Affected, 30,000 Displaced