LAHORE: The Provincial Disaster Management Authority (PDMA) has issued a fresh warning about extremely dangerous Punjab floods in the Ravi, Sutlej, and Chenab rivers, expected to persist until September 5.
A high-level flood is already present at Ganda Singh Wala. Officials fear the situation will worsen as more rains are forecast in the upper catchment areas until September 3. This has also raised the threat of urban flooding in Lahore, Gujranwala, and Gujarat.
Chenab River wreaks havoc
The Chenab River has continued to cause devastation across Punjab. After flooding hundreds of settlements, the raging waters have now reached Jhang, submerging at least 200 villages. In Muzaffargarh, the water level is rising steadily. In Bhawana tehsil of Chiniot, dozens of settlements have been swallowed by floodwaters, while crops in Shujabad are under water.
At Trimmu headworks, a flood wave of 800,000 to 900,000 cusecs is passing through. Officials warned this could threaten over 400 villages, intensifying the Punjab floods crisis.
Water release by India raises alarm
The situation in nine districts of Punjab is feared to deteriorate further after India released water into the Sutlej River. The release has heightened risks for Kasur, Okara, Bahawalnagar, and Pakpattan. The PDMA has also cautioned that Vehari, Lodhran, Bahawalpur, and Multan could face worsening conditions.
The flood surge released at Naina Kot is now heading towards Jassar and Shakargarh. In the Ravi River, the water level at Maripattan has risen sharply. Major floods are also being reported at the Balloki and Sadhnai headworks.
Villages submerged, embankments collapsed
In Sahiwal, the collapse of a protective embankment caused heavy flooding in dozens of villages. Thousands of other settlements across Punjab remain under water. Floodwaters have destroyed crops, washed away connecting roads, and left millions of people affected.
According to officials, there is currently a high-level flood in the Sutlej River at Harike and Ferozepur. The overflowing waters are affecting Kasur, Okara, Bahawalnagar, Pakpattan, Vehari, Lodhran, Bahawalpur, Multan, and Muzaffargarh.
The PDMA has confirmed that the Punjab floods have reached an extremely high level at Trimmu headworks, with devastating impacts on lives, livelihoods, and infrastructure across the province.
