ISLAMABAD: The Provincial Disaster Management Authority (PDMA) in Punjab has sounded alarm bells, warning of extremely high flood levels in the Ravi, Sutlej, and Chenab rivers that are expected to persist until September 5. The warning follows continued rainfall in the upper catchment areas and the release of water by India into the Sutlej, further worsening the crisis.
According to officials, a high-level flood has already been recorded at Ganda Singh Wala, while the Chenab River has inundated vast areas of Punjab. Hundreds of settlements have been destroyed, and the floodwaters have reached Jhang, submerging around 200 villages. The situation is equally dire in Muzaffargarh, where water levels are rising, while in Bhawana tehsil of Chiniot, dozens of villages are underwater. Agricultural fields in Shujabad have also been submerged, dealing a severe blow to local farmers.
At the Trimmu Headworks, one of the most critical flood control structures in Punjab, a massive flood wave measuring 800,000 to 900,000 cusecs is currently passing through. Authorities warn this could endanger more than 400 villages, placing thousands of families at risk of displacement.
The situation has been compounded by water releases from India into the Sutlej River at Naina Kot, sending a dangerous floodwave toward Jassar and Shakargarh. Officials have reported rising water levels at Maripattan in the Ravi River, with major flood conditions also seen at Balloki and Sadhnai headworks. In Sahiwal, the collapse of a protective embankment has caused water to flood dozens of nearby villages.
The PDMA has issued high-alert warnings for nine districts: Kasur, Okara, Bahawalnagar, Pakpattan, Vehari, Lodhran, Bahawalpur, Multan, and Muzaffargarh. Thousands of villages in these districts are already affected, with crops, homes, and connecting roads submerged. Millions of people face displacement as rescue and relief efforts intensify.
Authorities have urged residents in flood-prone areas to remain vigilant and strictly follow evacuation orders and precautionary measures. With rains forecast to continue in the upper catchments until September 3, the flood emergency across Punjab is expected to deepen further.
