LAHORE:
Floodwaters across Punjab reached alarming levels on Tuesday after India released additional discharges into the Sutlej and Ravi rivers, while persistent monsoon rains intensified the crisis, putting millions of lives at risk and raising fears of a super flood in Sindh.
According to the Flood Forecasting Division (FFD), the Sutlej at Ganda Singh Wala recorded over 350,000 cusecs of water — the highest level since 1955.
At Sulemanki, the flow was measured at 124,000 cusecs, while Islam Headworks reported nearly 86,000 cusecs. The Ravi also witnessed a dangerous rise, with water levels recorded at 54,000 cusecs in Jassar, 60,000 in Shahdara, 137,000 in Balloki, and 107,000 in Sidhnai.
The Chenab River carried over 516,000 cusecs at Head Trimmu, posing a growing threat to low-lying areas. Water levels at Head Sanguiney rose rapidly, endangering Pir Mahal and Khanewal, while traffic was suspended at Head Muhammad Wala amid warnings that the protective embankment might have to be deliberately breached to ease pressure.
The Provincial Disaster Management Authority (PDMA) reported that major dams were nearing critical thresholds. Mangla Dam has reached 82 per cent of its capacity, while Tarbela is already filled to the brim. Across the border, India’s Bhakra Dam stands at 84 per cent, Pong at 98 per cent, and Thein at 92 per cent, raising fears that any additional releases could dangerously escalate pressure downstream in Pakistan.
The National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) confirmed that on September 1, a massive wave of 550,000 cusecs passed through Trimmu after protective embankments were deliberately breached at two points to ease an earlier surge of 885,000 cusecs.
The flow is now heading towards Panjnad Headworks, which has a design capacity of 650,000 cusecs, and is expected to receive between 570,000 and 600,000 cusecs by September 3. By September 5, an additional 80,000 to 100,000 cusecs from the Sutlej is projected to raise the total flow to between 650,000 and 700,000 cusecs. The surge will then move to Guddu Barrage by September 6, followed by Sukkur and Kotri Barrages, before draining into the Arabian Sea around September 12 or 13.
PDMA Director General Irfan Ali Kathia said that over one million people have so far been relocated to safe areas, while 41 people have lost their lives since August 26. He described the ongoing relief and evacuation efforts as the largest rescue operation in the province’s history.
Punjab Relief Commissioner Nabeel Javed stated that over 3,200 villages and more than 2.4 million people have been affected. He said 395 relief camps, 392 medical camps, and 336 veterinary camps have been set up across flood-hit areas, while nearly one million people and over 708,000 livestock have been relocated to safer places.
The Pakistan Meteorological Department has warned of further heavy rains over the next 24 to 48 hours, cautioning that water pressure is likely to rise in the lower Indus and southern Punjab. Authorities have expressed fears that the situation could escalate into a super flood in Sindh, threatening millions more in the days ahead.
In southern Punjab, the Chenab’s surge has entered Multan district, where local authorities are weighing breaching embankments to protect the city.
In Sindh, low-level flooding has been reported at Sukkur, Kotri and Guddu barrages, though many residents in riverine “katcha” areas are resisting evacuation orders. Officials warn that the refusal to leave the areas could complicate relief efforts if river levels continue to rise.
The FFD reported that Tarbela Dam has reached full capacity, while Mangla is 83 per cent filled. Rawal Dam has opened its spillways as levels approached the danger mark. Authorities said more rainfall is expected through September 3, with forecasts pointing to continued high flows in the Ravi, Sutlej and Chenab rivers.
Meanwhile, the National Emergencies Operation Center (NEOC) has warned of possible urban flooding in cities of Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK) and a risk of landslides in hilly areas due to expected rainfall within the next 12 to 24 hours.
According to the weather advisory issued by NDMA’s NEOC, widespread heavy rainfall is expected within the next 12 to 24 hours across various parts of AJK, including Mirpur, Dadyal, Neelum Valley, Bagh, Kotli, Rawalakot, Muzaffarabad, Sharda, Haveli, and surrounding areas.
The NDMA has urged residents in vulnerable regions to exercise extreme caution near streams and flooded roads, avoid unnecessary travel, adhere to safety protocols, follow official directives, avoid contact with power lines and waterlogged areas during the ongoing heavy rainfall.
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has directed the relevant authorities to expedite relief and rehabilitation activities in the flood affected areas of Punjab and Sindh.
The premier issued the directives while chairing a meeting in Beijing to review the flood situation and relief operations in Pakistan, temporarily pausing his other engagements.
During the meeting, the NDMA chairman, the chief secretaries of Punjab, Sindh, and Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa, along with officials from various relevant institutions, briefed the prime minister on the current flood conditions and the progress of relief operations.
The premier directed the National Highway Authority (NHA) and the Ministry of Energy to take immediate steps to restore damaged communication and electricity transmission systems affected by the floods.
He emphasized full cooperation among the federal government, provincial governments, and all concerned institutions in providing relief to affected families, relocating them to safe areas, and rehabilitating damaged infrastructure.
The prime minister instructed authorities to focus particularly on relief and recovery operations in the flood-affected areas of Punjab and Sindh.
He directed the NDMA chairman to maintain full coordination PDMAs and provide all necessary support to the provincial governments.
The prime minister also ordered the swift search and recovery of citizens who have gone missing due to the floods.
During the meeting, the prime minster was informed that authorities were continuously monitoring high flood levels in the Ravi, Chenab, and Sutlej rivers. “Regulation of dams and barrages is ongoing in response to the rising water levels in these rivers.”
Specific locations experiencing high flood levels or at risk include Trimmu, Balloki, Sidhnai, GS Wala, and Sulemanki along the rivers Chenab, Ravi, and Sutlej, the meeting was informed. “NDMA is working closely with provincial administrations and disaster management authorities at these sites.”
(With input from APP)
