The flood situation in Punjab continues to worsen as water levels rise in major rivers, with authorities warning of very high floods in Ravi, Sutlej, and Chenab by September 5.
The Provincial Disaster Management Authority (PDMA) and National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) have placed all departments on high alert as water flows surge across multiple headworks.
The Punjab relief commissioner says there is a risk of an unusual increase in the flow of rivers due to rains in the upper areas. In view of the instructions of the Punjab chief minister, all the relevant departments are on alert, Nabeel Javed said.
Punjab rivers under extreme pressure
According to PDMA DG Irfan Ali Kathia, the next two to four hours are critical at Head Sidhnai, where the water flow has reached 137,000 cusecs and the dam faces the risk of breaching. He further said that the upstream flow at Head Sidhnai from Head Balloki is 150,000 cusecs, while at the dam the water flow is 137,000 cusecs.
Kathia said a large flood wave from Chenab is heading towards south Punjab, while the Safooran Dam at Head Sidhnai could be breached. He further said that a large flood from Head Sidhnai will move towards Head Muhammad Wala when there will be problems.
He further briefed that at Head Trimmu, there was an extremely high flood with water flows exceeding 516,000 cusecs, which continues to increase. Water flow at Qadirabad headworks in the Chenab River is at 135,000 cusecs, while Khanki is recording 120,000 cusecs and Marala at 96,000 cusecs, he reported.
The Sutlej River also remains in high flood. At Ganda Singhwala, the water level is 253,0000 cusecs, while at Sulemanki it has reached 124,000 cusecs. Similarly, the Ravi River is swelling with 54,000 cusecs at Jassar and 60,000 cusecs at Shahdara, Kathia added.
He warned that 600,000 cusecs of floodwater will reach Alipur on September 5, and from September 6–7, floodwaters may enter Sindh. The agency is also considering breaching embankments to protect Sher Shah Bridge.
He concluded that Indian dams are also 100% full, while the authorities here have evacuated 900,000 people.
Sindh on alert: Guddu Barrage water rises
In Kashmore, the Indus River is also rising. At the Guddu Barrage, water inflow has been recorded at 360,777 cusecs and outflow at 345,373 cusecs, marking a sharp increase of 42,548 cusecs within 24 hours, the control room confirmed.
Khyber Pakhtunkhwa hit by torrential rains
In Jamrud (Khyber District), torrential rains wreaked havoc, causing roofs and walls of houses to collapse in multiple areas, including Wazir Dhand, Malaguri, and Ghundi. One person was killed and two were injured in Wazir Dhand when the roof of a room caved in. Water also entered houses, washing away a poultry farm in Malaguri. Rescue teams are carrying out operations to clear water and assist the affected families.
Meanwhile, the NDMA confirmed that the discharge at Budhani Nallah in Peshawar’s Darmangi area has surged to 16,142 cusecs, putting low-lying areas like Warsak Road, Darmangi, and Regi Larma at risk of submergence. Residents have been advised to avoid electricity poles, submerged roads, and urban drains.
Relief efforts underway
Officials said over 900,000 people have already been evacuated to safe places in Punjab. The NDMA dispatched eight trucks loaded with food rations to Chiniot, while supplies have also been sent to Narowal, Sialkot, Hafizabad, and Wazirabad. Relief preparations for Jhang are also in progress.
A spokesperson said the 46kg ration bag includes 22 essential food items. “On the prime minister’s instructions, NDMA is fully committed to rehabilitation efforts in collaboration with provincial agencies,” the official stated.
