PM directs NDMA to speed up rescue operations as Punjab faces flood alert

ISLAMABAD/LAHORE (Dunya News) – Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Tuesday directed the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) to expedite rescue operations in Punjab’s districts affected by flooding in the Sutlej River.

Record rains, glacier melt, and severe flooding highlight Pakistan’s climate vulnerability, as Punjab faces high flood alerts and mass evacuations.

The prime minister instructed the NDMA chairman to take immediate action to evacuate people stranded in flood-hit areas and relocate them to safe locations.

The prime minister stressed the need for protective measures and close monitoring, particularly around Ganda Singh Wala in the Sutlej River. He also stressed ensuring the supply of food, medicines, and tents to the affected population, while maintaining close coordination with Punjab’s disaster management authority.

High-level flood alert in Chenab, Ravi, and Sutlej

The Provincial Disaster Management Authority (PDMA) has issued warnings of high to extremely high-level flooding in the Chenab, Ravi, and Sutlej rivers over the next 48 hours. Urban flooding alerts have also been issued for Rawalpindi, Lahore, and Gujranwala divisions.

Over 150,000 people evacuated

The NDMA reported that more than 150,000 people have been evacuated from riverine areas to safer locations. This includes 89,868 people from Bahawalnagar, 14,140 from Kasur, over 2,000 from Okara, and thousands more from Bahawalpur, Vehari, and Pakpattan.

Prior to the flood alert, 40,000 people had already been moved to safety.

Punjab Rescue spokesperson stated that evacuations have been conducted along the Indus, Chenab, Ravi, Sutlej, and Jhelum rivers.

The PDMA has also instructed deputy commissioners of affected districts—including Lahore, Sahiwal, Multan, Bahawalpur, Dera Ghazi Khan, Kasur, Okara, Pakpattan, Vehari, Bahawalnagar, Lodhran, and Muzaffargarh—to remain on high alert.

Rivers' Situation

At Ganda Singh Wala in the Sutlej River, the water flow has exceeded 195,000 cusecs. A moderate-level flood is ongoing at Head Sulemanki, where the inflow is 104,000 cusecs and the outflow is 98,000 cusecs.

On the Ravi River, the water flow at Jassar is 90,000 cusecs, indicating a moderate flood, while at Shahdara, the flow is 40,000 cusecs, which is considered a low-level flood. A surge of 60,000 to 70,000 cusecs is expected to pass through Shahdara tonight. At Balloki, the flow is 27,000 cusecs, and at Head Sidhnai, it is 12,000 cusecs.

In the Chenab River, the inflow at Khanki is 91,000 cusecs, with an outflow of 84,000 cusecs. At Head Marala, the inflow is 107,000 cusecs, and the outflow is 89,000 cusecs.

There is a risk of release of 300,000 cusec water from India, and in anticipation of this, announcements were being made in mosques to encourage people to evacuate. 

There is also a risk of flash flooding in the hill torrents (Rod Kohi) of Dera Ghazi Khan. Currently, low-level flooding is being observed in Nala Aik, Dek, and Basantar, while moderate-level flooding is occurring in Nala Baeen and Nala Palkhu.

On the other hand, the Indus River is in low-level flood at Kotri Barrage, where the water inflow has been recorded at 217,490 cusecs. Moderate flooding continues at Sukkur Barrage, while Tarbela, Kalabagh, Chashma, and Guddu are also in low-level flood.

Rangers, Army and police help sought 

To assist with evacuations, the district administration has sought help from Rangers, Army, and Police. The administration has also cancelled staff leaves and instructed personnel to remain stationed in flood-affected areas.

In the Sutlej River, the rising water levels at Bahawalpur and Bahawalnagar have submerged several more villages. Homes and thousands of acres of agricultural land have suffered severe damage.

In Basti Janan Wali, Basti Bhattian, and Chawika, breaches in the embankments destroyed crops in fields and submerged several residential areas. Many villages in Bahawalnagar have lost road access, while people from flood-affected areas are relocating to safer places.

In the Sutlej River, a 90,000-cusec flood wave is passing through Baba Farid Bridge in Pakpattan, prompting the evacuation of 3,000 people to safer locations. Dozens of villages have lost road connectivity due to the flood.

In Burewala, Sahoka and surrounding settlements have been submerged. A breach in the Sahoka-Chishtian Road has cut off road links to hundreds of villages. Due to the flood situation, people are being relocated using boats.

At Chiniot, the water level in the Chenab River is continuously rising. The district administration has instructed residents to evacuate with their livestock to safer areas. To manage the potential flooding, eight flood relief camps have been set up, fully stocked with medicines, including anti-venom for snake bites.

Also read: India makes third contact with Pakistan over Sutlej flood threat

In Manchanabad, temporary protective embankments in Moza Rateeka, Lala Amar Singh, and several other villages have broken, submerging thousands of acres of agricultural land. Water has flooded the rice, cotton, and maize crops, and floodwaters have also cut off road access to multiple settlements.

In Arifwala, areas including Basti Saboka, Yasin Kay, Balara Dilawar, and Balara Arjan have also been submerged. Several villages have lost road connectivity due to broken roads, and thousands of acres of agricultural land are underwater. The district administration has ordered the immediate evacuation of dozens more villages.

According to the NDMA, due to heavy monsoon rains since June 26 this year, the country has witnessed flooding, cloudbursts, landslides, and other incidents resulting in over 750 deaths so far. Hundreds of people have been injured, and there has been severe damage to homes and property.

It may be recalled that the NDMA had issued an alert for heavy rains, landslides and floods across various parts of the country from August 23 to 30.

The Indian High Commission has contacted Pakistani authorities for the third time, sharing updates on water flows in the Sutlej River.