India warns Pakistan of Sutlej flood threat as Punjab battles deluge

ISLAMABAD (Dunya News) – India has alerted Pakistan about a high flood risk in the Sutlej River.

According to the Ministry of Water Resources, the Indian High Commission in Pakistan informed authorities about rising flood levels in the river.

The ministry stated that severe flooding is expected at Harike Downstream and Ferozepur Downstream from 8am today. Alerts have been issued to relevant institutions and provincial governments.

Meanwhile, the raging waters of the Sutlej continue to wreak havoc in Burewala, where a massive flood wave of 190,000 cusecs is passing through, causing widespread destruction.

Several protective embankments have collapsed, allowing floodwaters to reach Sahuka. Thousands of acres of crops, including cotton, rice, maize, and sesame, have been completely washed away.

The devastating flood has ruined farmlands, leaving farmers in deep crisis as their livelihoods face severe losses.

NDMA FORECASTS MORE RAINS

The National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) has warned that a fresh spell of heavy rainfall, expected from Monday to Wednesday, is likely to intensify the already critical flood situation across northeastern, central, and southern Punjab.

According to an alert issued by the National Emergencies Operation Center (NEOC), multiple districts in Punjab, including Rawalpindi, Islamabad, are expected to be impacted by the upcoming downpours.

Murree, Rawalpindi, Jhelum, Attock, Mandi Bahauddin, Gujrat, Gujranwala and Hafizabad face a risk of flooding from intense downpours.

Flood conditions could also worsen in Chiniot, Lahore, Sialkot, Narowal, Sheikhupura, Faisalabad, Sargodha, Bhakkar, Layyah and Mianwali, Dera Ghazi Khan, Sahiwal, Multan, Bahawalnagar, Bahawalpur and Rahim Yar Khan.

Authorities cautioned that heavy rainfall in the upper areas and an increased flow in rivers may cause flood surges at Marala Headworks, raising the risk of inundation in adjoining regions.

Residents of low-lying areas and those living near streams have been advised to remain alert, avoid unnecessary travel, and stay away from flood-prone zones. The public and relevant agencies have been urged to take precautionary measures.

2 MILLION AFFECTED

Due to the continuously rising water levels in Punjab's rivers, the province is in a dire flood situation, with thousands of villages submerged and more than 2 million people affected. At least 33 people have also died in floods.

Meanwhile, a very high flood level persisted at Head Trimmu where the flow of water reached 479,000 cusecs after India released water in the Chenab River.

There has also been an increase in the water inflow at Head Panjnad, but the situation remains under control. However, water levels at Head Khanki and Qadirabad have decreased, and the flood situation is moderate.

According to sources in the Irrigation Department, India opened all spillways of the Salal Dam a day earlier due to which a massive flow of 800,000 cusecs of water is expected to enter Pakistan via the Chenab River in next 24 hours to 36 hours.

A few days ago, India had released 900,000 cusecs of water, but at that time, the river was flowing normally. However, no official notification has been received from India regarding the release of water from Salal Dam this time either.

The floodwaters from the Chenab River have passed through Sialkot, Wazirabad, and Chiniot, and have now entered Jhang, where around 200 villages have been submerged and hundreds of homes have been inundated.

MULTAN BRACES FOR POTENTIAL FLOODING TONIGHT

There is a flood threat to Multan as a major flood wave from the Chenab River is expected to pass through the city tonight.

Over 200,000 people have already been displaced from the affected areas and standing crops have been destroyed across vast regions.

To protect the city, preparations are in place to breach the Head Muhammad Wala Road. Dynamites have been planted along the road and will be blasted in case of extreme emergency.

MANDI BAHAUDDIN

At Head Qadirabad, water levels are rising. Over 140 villages and informal settlements in Phalia have been submerged.

Floodwaters submerged a vast area in Kabirwala and people are being evacuated via boats to safer locations.

FLOOD IN RIVER RAVI

At Head Balloki, water levels in the Ravi River have begun to decrease, with the flow now at 175,000 cusecs, but it still qualifies as a very high flood level.

According to the Flood Forecasting Division, there is a moderate-level flood at Shahdara, where the inflow and outflow have been recorded at 67,900 cusecs.