Punjab rivers swell after Indian water release

Water released into the Sutlej River by India turned catastrophic for Bahawalnagar on Sunday, claiming two lives, submerging thousands of acres of crops, and threatening nearby populations.

The surge has begun encroaching on villages, breaching protective embankments and cutting off access to settlements near Baba Farid Bridge and Bhukan Patan. According to Rescue 1122, 928 people and hundreds of livestock have been relocated to safer areas.

Villagers reported that standing crops — including cotton, paddy, maize, vegetables, and fodder — were destroyed by the floodwaters, leaving farmers devastated as their livelihoods were washed away.

High flooding is expected to continue at Ganda Singh Wala over the next 48 hours, with water levels rising above 21 feet and flow exceeding 130,000 cusecs, increasing the risk of overflow in the Ravi and Chenab rivers.

Authorities warn that ongoing torrential rains and multiple weather systems could further exacerbate the situation. Officials said that arrangements had been made for the rescue and relief to the affected people. However, villagers complain of lack of facilities.

"Our children are crying from hunger; no aid has reached us. Livestock are dying, and there's not even enough food at home. The administration is limited to visits and empty promises,." Kashif, a local resident told The Express Tribune

Another resident Ismail also had the similar complaint. "The district government has completely failed. Relief camps exist only on paper; in reality, the affected are saving their lives through self-help," he said.

Flooding has also been reported due to water released from India into the Tawi River, a tributary of the Chenab River, affecting downstream areas including Gujrat, Mandi Bahauddin, Chiniot, and Jhang.

Overflow from Nullah Dek in Zafarwal has inundated villages, submerging thousands of acres of paddy crops and prompting urgent evacuations. In Sialkot, the Chenab River is experiencing medium flood conditions, with maximum discharge of approximately 1,100,000 cusecs at Head Marala.

The Tawi River is in low flood at Surkhpur Bridge, while Nullah Deg overflowed at Kangra. The Ravi River remains at low flood levels, and tributaries such as Basantar continue to flow normally.

The Flood Forecasting Division (FFD) and Federal Flood Commission (FFC) have warned that the Rivers Chenab and Indus are likely to reach high flood levels within 24 hours, while the Sutlej at Ganda Singh Wala will continue at high levels for several days, depending on reservoir releases from India.

Medium to high flows are expected in the nullahs of the Ravi and Chenab during the next 48 hours, with flash flooding anticipated in Dera Ghazi Khan and northeastern Balochistan. Urban flooding is forecast in Lahore, Gujranwala, and Rawalpindi.

Widespread torrential rains are expected in the upper catchments of the Sutlej, Ravi, Chenab, and Jhelum rivers, as well as northern and north-eastern Punjab from August 25 to 27. Moderate to heavy rainfall is also expected in the upper catchments of the Kabul and Indus rivers, likely causing significant increases in river flows over the next 48 hours.

Since the start of the monsoon, the NDMA reports that 785 people have died across Pakistan. Authorities emphasise that protecting lives and property remains the top priority, even as residents continue to battle the dual threats of rising waters and inadequate relief measures.

(WITH INPUT FROM APP)