Lahore(The COW News Digital) A critical flood situation has developed at Head Qadirabad on the River Chenab, where water flow has surged to nearly 996,000 cusecs—almost 200,000 cusecs beyond the designed capacity of the headworks. Authorities fear that the embankment on the left side could collapse under the immense pressure, posing a grave threat to nearby districts.
The alarming update was shared by Irfan Ali Kathia, Director General of Punjab’s Provincial Disaster Management Authority (PDMA), who confirmed that the water level continues to rise at an unprecedented rate. He warned that if the embankment gives way, vast areas of Hafizabad and Chiniot would face devastating floods, potentially displacing thousands of residents and submerging agricultural lands.
To mitigate risk, Deputy Commissioners of the affected districts have been directed to immediately begin evacuation operations in vulnerable areas. Announcements have been made urging citizens to leave low-lying settlements and shift to safer ground without delay.
Local administrations, irrigation officials, and rescue services have already been deployed to the site, working round-the-clock to reinforce weak points in the embankment. Heavy machinery, sandbags, and emergency resources are being utilized in an attempt to contain the surging waters. Despite these efforts, officials admit that the sheer volume of water poses an extraordinary challenge.
“The pressure on Head Qadirabad is increasing continuously. Our teams are fully mobilized, and all available resources are being used to strengthen the embankment,” DG PDMA Irfan Ali Kathia stated, emphasizing that saving the protective structure is the top priority.
Meanwhile, residents living downstream remain anxious as memories of past flood disasters resurface. Hafizabad and Chiniot are agriculturally rich districts, and officials fear that if the embankment fails, standing crops, homes, and infrastructure could be destroyed on a massive scale. Relief camps have been set up in safer zones to accommodate displaced families.
Meteorological authorities have also issued warnings that monsoon rains are expected to continue in upper catchment areas of the Chenab, which could further intensify the flood threat in the coming days.
As emergency measures escalate, Punjab’s PDMA has urged the public to remain vigilant, follow evacuation orders promptly, and cooperate with rescue teams to minimize loss of life. The situation at Head Qadirabad remains fluid, with authorities bracing for the worst while hoping to avert a catastrophe.
