Tarbela nears capacity as dam level surges

Torrential monsoon rains have inundated large parts of the country, swelling rivers, destroying crops, and leaving dozens dead, as authorities warn of more flooding through the end of August.

According to the Flood Forecasting Division, Tarbela Dam has reached 99% of its capacity at 1,549.20 feet, while Mangla Dam stands at 76% full at 1,219.40 feet. Levels at Rawal, Khanpur and Simly dams have also risen sharply, forcing officials to open spillways at several reservoirs to reduce pressure.

High flood conditions were recorded at Guddu Barrage on the Indus River, where inflows exceeded 543,000 cusecs.

The Sutlej River also surged to perilous levels, particularly at Ganda Singh Wala in Kasur and Head Sulemanki, where authorities reported moderate to high flooding. Officials linked the rising Sutlej levels in part to India releasing additional water upstream.

The floods have already submerged thousands of acres of farmland, wiping out crops and displacing residents. In Kasur district, over 30 villages lost road access as agricultural land was inundated. In Pakpattan, floodwaters entered residential neighbourhoods, prompting mass evacuations.

Casualties continue to mount as collapsing homes and failing infrastructure succumb to relentless downpours. At least 10 people have been killed and more than 60 injured across Punjab, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Azad Kashmir, according to initial reports.

In Mardan, one person died when a roof caved in, while in Azad Kashmir, landslides destroyed four houses and a mosque.

Urban centres are also under strain. In Lahore, torrential rain submerged Gulberg, Jail Road, Lakshmi Chowk and other areas, with water entering homes and shops.

In Islamabad and Rawalpindi, swollen streams overflowed into Barakahu, trapping vehicles. Heavy showers in Gujranwala, Gujrat, Jhelum and Chiniot toppled power poles and tripped feeders, disrupting electricity supplies.