LAHORE: Indian authorities have released a significant volume of water—estimated between 250,000 to 300,000 cusecs—from the Pong and Bhakra dams into the Sutlej River, triggering high-level alerts across downstream districts in Pakistan. According to irrigation department sources, this surge is expected to reach Pakistan within 48 hours, heightening flood risks in multiple regions.
The Government of India formally notified Pakistani officials through its High Commission in Islamabad about the release. Meanwhile, flood control authorities in Pakistan, particularly the Provincial Disaster Management Authority (PDMA) Punjab, have issued high flood alerts to all districts located along the Sutlej River.
For the past month, the Ganda Singh Wala Headworks in Kasur has been experiencing an exceptionally high flood level, and the incoming water is expected to worsen the situation. The PDMA reported that water levels are also critically high at India’s Lower Harike and Lower Firozpur points on the Sutlej, with the effects now spilling across into Pakistan.
The districts placed on high alert include Kasur, Okara, Bahawalnagar, Pakpattan, Vehari, Lodhran, Bahawalpur, Multan, and Muzaffargarh. Local authorities have been advised to remain vigilant, prepare evacuation plans, and monitor vulnerable embankments and infrastructure closely.
The Sutlej River is currently in high flood at Head Sulemanki, with potential threats expanding as water levels in other rivers also rise. The Chenab River is also experiencing high flood conditions at Trimmu Headworks, with increasing flow at Rangpur Point. A combined flood surge of 650,000 cusecs from the Ravi and Chenab rivers is expected to pass through the region shortly, posing a severe threat to downstream areas.
Looking ahead, the Indus River is projected to carry massive floodwaters into Sindh province by September 6 or 7. While currently at low flood levels at Guddu, Sukkur, and Kotri barrages, rising upstream discharges are expected to elevate the flood risk significantly.
At a press conference held at the New Sindh Secretariat, the Chief Minister of Sindh stated that a flow of 1.077 million cusecs had recently reached Qadirabad Barrage, with major river flows converging at Panjnad before entering the Indus River at Kot Mithan.
The National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) has forecast flows of 800,000 to 1.1 million cusecs at Guddu Barrage around September 5, noting that any discharge above 900,000 cusecs qualifies as a “super flood.”
Authorities are urging residents in high-risk areas to stay alert, follow official instructions, and evacuate when advised. Emergency services have been mobilized, and monitoring systems are being enhanced to track flood progression across Punjab and Sindh.
