India’s unannounced release of a large volume of water into the Ravi and Chenab rivers has triggered severe flooding across Punjab.
The sudden influx has submerged thousands of villages and devastated large areas of farmland, causing extensive damage.
The Provincial Disaster Management Authority (PDMA) reports that water levels at the Qadirabad Barrage on the Chenab River are rising quickly, with a projected flow of 40,000 to 50,000 cusecs at Shahdara on the Ravi River.
In response to the escalating situation, the PDMA has issued a low-level flood warning for the Ravi River, urging residents in at-risk areas to evacuate to safer locations.
India’s unexpected water release has heightened concerns about major flooding in Punjab’s rivers and canals. The PDMA has warned that Chenab River water levels could surge to between 200,000 and 250,000 cusecs, possibly resulting in a high-level flood within the next 24 hours.
Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz has instructed all relevant departments to stay on high alert and continuously monitor flood-prone regions, including Narowal, Sialkot, and Shakargarh.
The floods have already resulted in casualties. In Zafarwal, near Narowal, three young men drowned in a flooded canal. Rescue teams have recovered two bodies, and the search for the third continues. The victims were from the village of Nangal Sudkan.
Additionally, a low-level flood warning has been issued for Sehwan, where floodwaters have affected uncultivated land and several villages. About 300,000 cusecs of water are currently flowing towards the Kotri Barrage from the Indus River, heightening the risk of widespread flooding.
As the situation develops, Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz has stressed the importance of vigilance and quick action to lessen the flood’s impact. She has called for prompt relief efforts to safeguard residents.
