Punjab is facing its worst flooding in nearly four decades after India released water into rivers and heavy monsoon rains lashed the region.
Punjab PDMA Director General Irfan Ali Kathia has said that floods in Punjab claimed at least 20 lives, mostly in drowning-related incidents.
Flood losses update
- A total of 1,839 houses damaged in floods.
- 1,461,398 people affected; 474 flood relief camps established.
- Authorities set up 351 medical camps and 300 veterinary camps.
- 467,564 people evacuated to safer areas.
- 346,698 animals also rescued and evacuated.
- Floods cause 25 deaths so far.
- Three buildings reported damaged.
In Jhang, a massive flood surge has entered River Chenab, prompting the district administration to put all departments on high alert.
In Tehsil Athara Hazari, announcements are being made near protective embankments to evacuate shops as a precautionary measure. Officials recalled that during the devastating 2014 floods, the embankment had to be breached to reduce pressure.
Ravi River continues in high flood
Provincial Disaster Management Authority (PDMA) reported on Friday that River Ravi remains in a state of very high flood, with heavy flows passing through key points.
At Ravi Siphon, the water discharge has reached 202,428 cusecs, while at Shahdara the flow stands at 201,400 cusecs, according to PDMA officials.
Officials confirmed a gradual decrease in the Ravi’s flow. At Kot Nainan, the river flow is recorded at 62,600 cusecs, while at Jassar, it has reached 85,980 cusecs, marking a medium-level flood. Smaller tributaries are also swollen, with 2,756 cusecs in Nallah Baeen and 10,000 cusecs in Nallah Auj.
Authorities remain on alert as the river maintains extremely high flood levels, posing threats to surrounding low-lying areas.
Authorities warn that extremely high flood levels in Chenab could force another decision to break protective bunds if water pressure continues to rise. Deputy Commissioner Jhang said shopkeepers and residents are being notified, and the situation is being monitored closely to safeguard lives.
In Multan, authorities have decided to breach two embankments to save the city. In Lahore, the flow of water at Shahdara in River Ravi has crossed 183,000 cusecs, with the district administration warning it could rise to 200,000 cusecs by noon. The Ravi can withstand up to 250,000 cusecs, but the water level continues to increase. Rescue boats and additional personnel have been deployed, while evacuations from low-lying areas are underway.
Commissioner Lahore confirmed that flow at Ravi Siphon has stabilized, and stabilization at Shahdara is expected within hours. However, evacuations from riverbed areas remain ongoing.
Federal Minister Marriyum Aurangzeb said at least 12 people have died in flood-related incidents across Punjab so far, adding that all relevant agencies are on high alert.
Meanwhile, in Bahawalpur, pressure from floodwaters in River Sutlej caused temporary embankments in Yousafwala and Ahmadwala to break, flooding nearby settlements and submerging hundreds of acres of crops, including cotton and rice. Riverbank erosion has also intensified, leaving many families trapped in their homes.
In River Chenab, a flow of 600,000 cusecs entered Kot Momin in Sargodha district, flooding fields and villages. Officials warn the discharge could rise to 1 million cusecs. Deputy Commissioner Sargodha said the district administration has finalized all necessary preparations to deal with the situation.
Alerts for heavy rains remain in place across the country, including Islamabad, Karachi, Lahore, and Sialkot, while the Balochistan government has also mobilized emergency measures.
Ravi at Shahdara swells, no casualties reported: DC
Lahore Deputy Commissioner Musa Raza said the water level at Ravi is expected to recede further in the next 10 hours. Speaking to the media, the DC said that no casualties have been reported in Lahore so far. Nearly 2,000 residents were evacuated to safer locations in the first phase, while those who could not leave have been accommodated in 18 relief camps.
According to the DC, breakfast and meals are being provided in five of the relief camps set up by the district administration. He emphasized that ensuring people’s safety was the top priority. However, he cautioned that if there is more rainfall in the upper catchment areas, the water flow in Ravi could rise again.
Fresh flood surge heads towards Rojhan, authorities on high alert
Residents of low-lying areas in Rojhan are bracing for another major flood surge in River Indus, just days after reeling from earlier devastation. Authorities say floodwaters released from India, along with surges from Punjab’s rivers, are expected to converge in Rojhan in the coming days.
The district administration has drawn up a contingency plan to tackle the looming crisis. Residents in low-lying areas have been directed to evacuate immediately, while tent villages are being set up to accommodate displaced families. Punjab Police and local administration are making repeated announcements urging people to leave dangerous zones without delay.
The Punjab government has placed officials on high alert, with provincial lawmaker Khizr Mazari, the Commissioner Dera Ghazi Khan, Deputy Commissioner Rajanpur, and the Assistant Commissioner personally monitoring flood-hit areas.
