Lahore (The COW News Digital)Severe flooding has struck parts of Punjab after India released nearly 200,000 cusecs of water into the River Ravi, compounding the situation already made worse by heavy monsoon rains. The surge has led to rising water levels across Punjab’s major rivers, including Ravi, Sutlej, and Chenab, pushing them dangerously close to critical thresholds.
At Head Marala on River Chenab, the flow has surged beyond 900,000 cusecs, crossing the extremely dangerous level, while at Khanki, the water discharge has reached an alarming 657,511 cusecs. According to Punjab’s Irrigation Department, the designed capacity of the Chenab at Head Marala and Khanki is 1.1 million cusecs, raising fears of breaches if the inflow continues to increase.
Commissioner of Gujranwala Division, Naveed Haider Shirazi, confirmed that contingency plans are in place should the river reach 1.05 million cusecs, including the creation of deliberate breaches at pre-identified locations. Relief camps have already been activated with supplies of food, water, and essential medicines to assist affected communities.
In Shakargarh, at least 25 people including women and children were reportedly trapped in floodwaters, appealing urgently for government rescue assistance.
Meanwhile, the Flood Forecasting Division Lahore reported that the Sutlej River is experiencing extremely high flood levels at Ganda Singh Wala, where the current discharge is 245,236 cusecs. Authorities warned the flow could rise to 280,000 cusecs within 12 hours, posing serious threats to low-lying settlements.
The Ravi River at Jassar is also facing extremely high flood conditions with water flow rising to 226,240 cusecs. Shahdara and adjoining low-lying areas, including patches near the M-2 Motorway, are now at risk of flooding. Officials have instructed residents of riverside belts to evacuate immediately as water levels continue to swell.
In Bahawalpur’s Khairpur Tamewali Tehsil, floodwaters from the Sutlej and Ravi have already inundated agricultural belts, damaging thousands of acres of standing crops. Several schools and residential houses have also been submerged, leaving locals displaced.
The Punjab government has intensified emergency measures, urging people living near riverbanks to move to safer ground. Officials reassured that while the flood situation is critical, coordinated rescue and relief operations are being carried out round-the-clock.
