LAHORE: India has released more water into the Sutlej River without formally notifying Pakistan through the Indus Water Commission, instead using irregular channels of communication. The development has triggered a high flood alert in nine districts of Punjab, while authorities fear very high flood level in the Ravi, Sutlej, and Chenab rivers until September 5.
According to the Director General of the Punjab Provincial Disaster Management Authority (PDMA), Irfan Ali Kathia, the province is still grappling with severe flood conditions. He said that breaches in protective embankments may be made deliberately to safeguard urban populations.
“So far, floods have claimed 41 lives across Punjab, with 3,243 villages severely affected. Around 2.45 million people have been impacted, and 395 relief camps are operational across the province,” Kathia added.
In Multan, a massive flood wave of 450,000 cusecs entered the Chenab River at Head Muhammad Wala. Authorities immediately decided to breach embankments to divert water, but hundreds of villages from Jhok Venice to Head Muhammad Wala were inundated. Thousands of residents have been relocated to safer areas.
At Bosan embankment near the Chenab, water levels are rising alarmingly, already flooding low-lying settlements. Reports suggest floodwaters have entered local schools, disrupting educational activities in Jhok Arabi and surrounding areas.
The Sutlej River is in high flood at Harike and Ferozepur, inundating districts including Kasur, Okara, Bahawalnagar, Pakpattan, Vehari, Lodhran, Bahawalpur, Multan, and Muzaffargarh. Thousands of villages have been submerged, crops destroyed, and road networks cut off, leaving millions affected.
In Toba Tek Singh, floodwaters from the Sutlej have entered Kamalia after devastating Tandlianwala, submerging dozens of villages, farmland, and link roads. The Lahore-Faisalabad section of the GT Road has been washed away, halting traffic between Faisalabad, Lahore, and Multan.
In Chiniot, 141 villages and more than 200,000 people have been affected, while in Multan, several settlements along the Chenab have gone underwater.
Sindh Also on Alert
Sindh is facing low-level flooding at Sukkur, Kotri, and Guddu barrages. Despite government warnings, many residents in riverine “katcha” areas are reluctant to evacuate, risking lives and property.
The National Polio Eradication Program has warned of a heightened risk of polio and other waterborne diseases spreading in flood-hit districts due to stagnant and contaminated floodwaters.
The Chenab flood wave has already swept through Sialkot, Wazirabad, and Chiniot, reaching Jhang, where nearly 200 villages have been submerged and over 200,000 people displaced. Authorities in Multan are preparing to use dynamite at Head Muhammad Wala Road to create controlled breaches if needed to save the city.
At Head Trimmu, the flow has reached 516,000 cusecs and continues to rise. On the Ravi, water flows are reported at 54,000 cusecs at Jassar, 60,000 cusecs at Shahdara, 137,000 cusecs at Balloki, and 107,000 cusecs at Sidhnai.
On the Sutlej, 253,000 cusecs are flowing at Ganda Singh Wala, while 124,000 cusecs are reported at Sulemanki. On the Chenab, flows are 96,000 cusecs at Marala, 120,000 at Khanki, and 135,000 at Qadirabad.
Rain Forecast Raises Urban Flooding Fears
Authorities also warn that heavy rainfall in upper catchment areas until September 3 could further swell rivers. Lahore, Gujranwala, and Gujrat face the risk of urban flooding.
Meanwhile, the Flood Forecasting Division confirmed that Tarbela Dam is at 100% capacity and Mangla Dam at 83%, while Rawal Dam spillways have been opened after water levels reached 1,751.7 feet.
Relief Commissioner Punjab has reiterated that extremely high floods are possible in the Ravi, Sutlej, and Chenab rivers until September 5, with continuous monitoring in place.
