Pakistan on alert as India opens floodgates, triggering Punjab floods.
Pakistan Army has been called in to assist local administrations
LAHORE ( WEB NEWS )
Following the release of water by India and continuous rainfall, the water in major rivers of Punjab – Chenab, Sutlej, and Ravi – has risen to dangerous levels.
Floodwaters have caused widespread destruction in several areas of Punjab, submerging many villages. Due to the severe flooding, the Pakistan Army has been called in to assist local administrations.
After India released water into the rivers, a flood situation has arisen in the Chenab River. The district administration has broken two bunds of the Chenab River to save Head Qadirabad.
According to the Gujranwala commissioner, the first breach was made at Mandi Bahauddin, while the second was at Alipur Chattha in Gujranwala district.
Residents along the Chenab, from Qadirabad to Pindi Bhattian, have been urged to evacuate immediately.
India a day ago released 200,000 cusecs of water into the River Ravi as a result of which it is in extremely high flood level, prompting alerts in low-lying areas of Shahdara.
At Jassar, the River Ravi is in exceptionally high flood with a water flow of 229,700 cusecs. The river has put the Lahore to Islamabad section – M-2 – of Motorway in threat.
In Narowal, floodwaters from the River Ravi have entered the Kartarpur Corridor, raising concerns of serious damage to the Sikh religious site. The gurdwara premises have been submerged under 5 to 7 feet of water. Narowal Road and the Shakargarh highway have been closed to traffic due to flood.
A major breach has occurred in the protective embankment of River Ravi near Bhiko Chak in Shakargarh, resulting in the submergence of several villages. Evacuations are underway as floodwaters inundated a vast area. In village Jarmian Jhande, near Shakargarh, 21 people trapped in their houses by rising waters, were successfully rescued.
The water flow in the River Ravi continues to rise steadily. In response to the worsening situation, Civil Defence has issued a high alert and sirens have been sounded in the area.
Meanwhile, the River Sutlej is also in high flood. At Head Ganda Singh, the water flow has reached 245,000 cusecs.
In Bahawalnagar, the rising water levels have cut off ground access to several villages. A high flood warning has been issued at Head Sulemanki. Rescue operations involving Rangers, the Army, and Police are ongoing in the affected regions. Thousands of people and livestock have been relocated to safer areas.
In Arifwala, a severe flood in the River Sutlej has submerged the areas of Kund Shams, Kund Qabil, and Bilari Kasuria. Numerous small and large settlements have been surrounded by floodwaters.
In Pakpattan, 100,000 cusecs water is passing through the Baba Farid Bridge. Emergency alerts have been issued, and mosque loudspeakers are being used to urge residents in river belt areas to evacuate immediately. More than 100 small and large settlements have been affected by flooding. Over 4,000 people have been evacuated to safer locations, while several villages have been cut off due to submerged and broken roads. Floodwaters in the River Sutlej have inundated 30 villages in border areas, causing widespread damage and displacement.
The River Chenab is also in extremely high flood, severing access to many villages. In Wazirabad, the water level at Head Khanki has risen sharply, with flow recorded at 705,000 cusecs.
At Chenab Nagar, water levels continue to rise steadily. The flow of the river has reached 113,000 cusecs, and a major wave of 700,000 cusecs from Head Marala has now begun to enter the Chenab Nagar area.
District authorities have issued warnings of a high flood threat in Chenab Nagar. Residents of low-lying areas nearby have been advised to evacuate immediately and move to safer ground as a precautionary measure.
A critical flood emergency has developed in Kot Momin, where over 700,000 cusecs of water is expected to pass through the River Chenab. According to Deputy Commissioner Captain (R) Muhammad Waseem, three relief camps have already been made operational, with preparations for more camps underway. Emergency staff is on high alert, and the Pakistan Army has been called in to assist with rescue and relief efforts.
In Alipur Chattha, near Rasool Nagar, local residents filled a breach in embankment of the River Chenab on self-help basis.
An extremely high flood level has also been recorded in Nullah Dek near Pasrur, with a surge of 77,000 cusecs sweeping away the Hanjli Bridge. Dozens of villages have been submerged, and floodwaters have entered Pasrur city, flowing over Narowal, Sialkot, and Chawinda roads. Water has also inundated villages like Sakarur, Dewali, Jandiala, Mangowal, and others, damaging standing crops.
Meanwhile, Punjab Rangers continue extensive rescue and relief operations in flood-hit areas. Working alongside other agencies, Rangers have been actively engaged in border regions affected by the flood. In Kasur district, near Ganda Singh Wala, Rangers successfully evacuated 6,890 people and 1,024 livestock to safer locations.
Authorities remain on high alert across Punjab, as floodwaters continue to threaten lives, homes, and agricultural land across multiple districts.