Sidhnai Headworks
Punjab authorities have issued urgent warnings as floodwaters continue to rise across the province, raising concerns about potential large-scale damage in Multan and other major districts. Officials cautioned that the Ravi River is expected to merge with floodwaters in Multan, further intensifying the situation.
According to Irfan Ali Kathia, Director General of the Provincial Disaster Management Authority (PDMA), the Sidhnai Headworks, Pakistan’s oldest headworks, has reached its critical capacity of 150,000 cusecs. Authorities have warned that they may be forced to breach the embankment at Sidhnai Headworks as early as Monday night to prevent uncontrolled flooding. Such a breach could inundate nearly 17,000 acres of land, threatening communities, agriculture, and infrastructure.
Kathia described the unfolding situation as one of the worst flood crises in Punjab’s history. With the ninth spell of monsoon rains still ongoing, rising water levels in the Rivers Sutlej, Ravi, and Chenab are creating extremely high flood risks. Already, 14 feet of water has been recorded in Nullah Lai, raising the alarm of urban flooding in densely populated areas.
The PDMA, however, clarified that no fresh surge has entered River Chenab at Head Marala and that Trimmu Headworks is not under immediate threat. Despite this, authorities remain on edge as heavy rainfall is forecast in the upper catchments of the rivers until September 3. The PDMA alert states that flood threats will persist until September 5, particularly in Ravi, Sutlej, and Chenab, with Sutlej at Ganda Singh Wala already experiencing high flood levels.
Punjab Chief Minister’s visit to Jhang underscored the seriousness of the crisis, as he personally reviewed flood-hit regions and met with officials. Relief Commissioner Punjab Nabeel Javed reassured the public that emergency control rooms are fully operational and all concerned departments — including irrigation, health, livestock, and transport — have been placed on high alert. He urged citizens to follow precautionary measures strictly to minimize risks.
Meanwhile, urban centers including Lahore, Gujranwala, and Gujrat are on heightened alert for possible urban flooding over the next 72 hours. District commissioners, deputy commissioners, and local government bodies have been instructed to mobilize resources and ensure swift response in case of emergencies.
With floodwaters continuing to rise, Punjab stands at a critical juncture, bracing for one of the most severe flood emergencies in recent history.
