Punjab on High Alert as Flood Threat Intensifies; Thousands Evacuated from Eastern Rivers
Evacuations have been sped up in Punjab and other provinces amid alerts of high-level floods in the rivers. Punjab is bracing for severe flooding across almost all of its eastern rivers, triggering mass evacuations as authorities scramble to protect vulnerable communities. At the same time, thousands in Gilgit-Baltistan—earlier displaced by glacial lake outbursts and flash floods—continue to wait for government aid amid shortages of essential supplies.
According to Rescue 1122 spokesperson Farooq Ahmad, more than 24,000 people have already been relocated from low-lying areas along the Indus, Chenab, Ravi, and Sutlej rivers since Saturday. These rivers are currently experiencing varying degrees of flooding due to intense monsoon rains in their catchment areas. With forecasts predicting further heavy rainfall in the next 48 hours, the danger of worsening conditions remains high.
Evacuation operations were launched in Kasur, Okara, Pakpattan, Bahawalnagar, Vehari, and Narowal, where a high alert was issued after India released a flood warning. Meanwhile, the Provincial Disaster Management Authority (PDMA) also issued alerts across Punjab, warning of “high to very high” flood levels in the Chenab, Ravi, and Sutlej rivers, along with the risk of urban flooding in Rawalpindi, Lahore, and Gujranwala divisions.
Hydrological data shows that the Sutlej River is experiencing high-level flooding at Harike and Ganda Singh Wala, while medium floods are being reported at Sulemanki, Marala, and Khanki. The Indus River has recorded low flooding at Kalabagh and Chashma, with normal levels at Tarbela and Taunsa. Reservoirs are also under stress: Tarbela Dam has reached full capacity, while Mangla is currently 76 percent filled. Indian dams, including Bhakra, Pong, and Thein, are nearly 80 to 87 percent full, raising further risks of overflow.
The National Emergencies Operation Centre (NEOC) has also issued an alert for the River Ravi, cautioning of a possible medium flood within the next 48 hours. At Kot Naina, discharges have reached 64,000 cusecs, and authorities fear levels could rise to dangerous highs if rainfall continues and spillways are released.
In response, PDMA has directed district administrations and commissioners across Lahore, Multan, Sahiwal, Bahawalpur, and D.G. Khan divisions to remain on high alert. Fact sheets released by the PDMA noted fresh rainfall across Punjab, including 27mm in Narowal and smaller amounts in Sialkot, Kasur, Lahore, and Gujranwala.
With more rain forecast and rivers swelling, authorities are urging residents in vulnerable districts to remain vigilant as the flood crisis escalates.
