The National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) has issued an emergency alert for the Ravi, Chenab and Sutlej Rivers, warning of record flooding in Punjab.
According to the NDMA, the Chenab River at Marala is facing a very high flood of 769,481 cusecs, with Khanki recording 705,225 cusecs. The Ravi River has seen 202,200 cusecs at Jassar, with projections rising to nearly 230,000 cusecs. At Shahdara, the flow is 72,900 cusecs, putting low-lying areas including Park View and Motorway-II at risk of inundation.
In the Sutlej, Ganda Singh Wala has been carrying more than 200,000 cusecs for several hours, with current flows at Sulaimanki recorded at 135,000 cusecs. Officials said that although rains have stopped in upper catchments, high flood conditions remain.
Punjab Disaster Management Authority Director General Irfan Ali Kathia warned that around 240,000 cusecs of water would pass Shahdara near Lahore between 10pm and midnight, and reach Head Baloki by 9am Wednesday. He added that such high levels at Shahdara had not been seen for nearly four decades.
The NDMA has urged residents along riverbanks to move to safe locations immediately, avoid unnecessary travel, and keep emergency kits ready. The centre confirmed that 150,000 people had already been evacuated from the Indus, Sutlej, Ravi and Chenab catchments, with the army assisting in overnight rescue operations.
Despite the scale of the flooding, officials said that all embankments remain intact and damage to headworks at Marala and Khanki has been avoided. NDMA and provincial disaster management teams continue to monitor the situation around the clock.
