Major flood wave to pass Shahdara tonight: PDMA

LAHORE (Dunya News) - Director General Punjab Disaster Management Authority (PDMA) Irfan Ali Kathia has said that Punjab’s rivers are witnessing the heaviest water flow in 38 years, with a massive flood wave expected to pass through Shahdara tonight.

Speaking to the media in Lahore, DG PDMA stated that water flow in River Ravi at Shahdara has reached 72,000 cusecs, and a major flood wave will pass through Lahore and Shahdara tonight, posing a serious challenge.

He noted that such a high level of water in the River Ravi has not been recorded since 1988. Authorities have evacuated people from riverbanks, with Rescue and relevant departments shifting residents from nearby areas to safety.

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At Jassar, the water flow in Ravi has reached 240,000 cusecs, categorized as extremely high flood levels. “We urge the public to avoid going near River Ravi for the next 48 hours,” Kathia warned.

He added that at Ganda Singh, water discharge has crossed 200,000 cusecs. Due to timely measures, no lives have been lost in Punjab so far. However, the flood will remain a challenge until it passes Rahim Yar Khan.

The PDMA chief stressed that arrangements are fully in place, river conditions are being constantly monitored, and civil and military institutions are coordinating closely. He also mentioned that River Sutlej has been experiencing high flood levels for the past 10 days, but there is no imminent threat of structural damage.