Lahore( The COW News Digital) Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif has warned of a worsening flood situation in the province after India released excess water from its dams, triggering dangerously high levels in rivers flowing into Pakistan.
Speaking via video link to commissioners and deputy commissioners across Punjab, the Chief Minister said that India discharged water after its dams, including Bhakra, Pong, and Thein, reached full capacity, intensifying the already critical situation caused by above-normal monsoon rains. She cautioned that River Ravi at Shahdara faces a major flood threat tonight, while the Sutlej, Ravi, and Chenab are already experiencing high flood levels.
Maryam Nawaz directed the administration to ensure timely evacuation of vulnerable communities, stressing that saving lives must remain the top priority. Expressing sorrow over the devastation caused, she noted that Sialkot received far more rainfall than forecast, resulting in significant destruction.
During a briefing from PDMA Director General Irfan Ali Kathia, the Chief Minister was informed that Punjab has received 62% more rainfall than normal, with Sialkot alone experiencing 50–80% above-average rains. Officials reported that 2.5 lakh cusecs of water is flowing through the Sutlej and more than 917,000 cusecs through the Chenab, far exceeding safe limits.
Authorities confirmed that 395 villages in Sialkot have been affected by urban flooding, while in Mandi Bahauddin and Hafizabad, flood surges exceeding 1.07 million cusecs have passed. In Wazirabad, the Palkhu Nullah carried 87,000 cusecs of water, while Burewala in Vehari district received 31,000 cusecs. In total, 308 villages and nearly 288,000 people in Sialkot have been directly impacted.
Officials also highlighted that a flood surge entered Kartarpur, but timely action by rescue services ensured the safe evacuation of all Sikh pilgrims. Relief operations, including the provision of food, shelter, and medical aid, are underway in affected districts.
Maryam Nawaz has ordered district administrations and rescue agencies to intensify relief operations, ensure quick rehabilitation of affected populations, and prepare detailed assessments of crop and infrastructure losses. She reiterated that all departments must remain on high alert to cope with the evolving emergency.
With heavy monsoon rains continuing upstream in India, authorities fear the flood crisis in Punjab may escalate further in the coming days.
