The situation of Punjab floods has turned critical with water levels rising sharply across major rivers and barrages. Dozens of districts are now facing devastation as protective barriers collapse and flood relays push through.
At Head Panjnad, the water flow, which had earlier dropped from 310,000 cusecs to 206,000 cusecs, rose again on Friday to 306,000 cusecs. Authorities fear this surge could trigger a massive flood wave in southern Punjab.
Rising water levels in dams and rivers
The Flood Forecasting Division (FFD) has reported alarming conditions. Tarbela Dam has reached full capacity, while Mangla stands at 87%. Current recorded levels are:
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Tarbela: 1,549.92 feet
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Mangla: 1,230.25 feet
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Khanpur: 1,981.35 feet
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Rawal: 1,751.50 feet
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Samli: 2,314.80 feet
According to officials, the flood status across Punjab rivers is as follows:
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Extremely high at Ganda Singh Wala
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Very high at Chenot Bridge, Baloki, and Sadhanai
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High at Trimu, Ravi Siphon, Shahdara, and Sulemanki
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Moderate at Khanki, Qadirabad, Panjnad, Islam, and Mailsi Siphon
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Low-level at Guddu, Sukkur, Kotri, and Jasar
Nallah Palkho, located near the Chenab, is experiencing severe flooding, while Nallah Ek and Nallah Basantar face medium and low flood levels respectively.
Villages drowned and crops destroyed
The worsening of Punjab floods is partly linked to the release of excess water by India, which has pushed large flood relays into Pakistani rivers. In Sindh, Guddu Barrage reported a flow of 357,000 cusecs and Sukkur Barrage 327,000 cusecs.
In Bahawalpur, Multan, and Shujaabad, protective dams have broken, submerging vast stretches of villages. Crops over millions of acres now stand destroyed. In Multan, water from a breach in Zamindar Dam reached Sher Shah Toll Plaza, forcing authorities to raise temporary barriers. Floodwaters also swamped sections of the DG Khan National Highway.
On the Sutlej, a flood relay of 100,000 cusecs submerged four tehsils of Bahawalpur. In Gujarat, streets have remained clogged with water for three days, shutting markets and offices. The Shorkot-Khanewal railway section also remains shut as a flood of 260,000 cusecs crossed the Sultan Bahu Bridge.
Human tragedy and destruction
The Punjab floods have claimed lives as well. In Mandi Bahauddin, two youths drowned. In Shujaabad’s Basti Gagra, a 200-foot-wide crack in the protective dam allowed water to rush into settlements. In Multan’s Basti Greywala, water levels continue to rise dangerously.
Rescue teams in Chiniot shifted 25 people to safety, raising the total number of rescued individuals to 1,312. In Khanewal and Uch Sharif, dozens of villages are underwater with crops completely wiped out.
Flooding has also damaged a 110-kilometer fence along the Indian border, submerging 90 Border Security Force posts inside India. The Sutlej, Ravi, and Chenab rivers have caused destruction on both sides of the border.
According to PDMA Punjab DG Irfan Kathia, at least 51 lives have been lost in Punjab due to the ongoing disaster. Relief and rescue operations continue, but thousands remain displaced. With water levels rising further, fears of new waves of destruction persist.
