Punjab floods kill 17 as Chenab, Ravi, Sutlej rivers remain dangerously high
Kartarpur, a town in Punjab province, (L Bottom), Wazirabad district (L Upper), Qadirabad village near Chenab River (R Bottom), Houses near the banks of flooded Ravi river (R Upper). Photos: AFP, Reuters
The Punjab Provincial Disaster Management Authority (PDMA) confirmed on Thursday that floods have killed 17 people in the province, with many others still reported missing, as water levels in Punjab’s major rivers — Chenab, Ravi, and Sutlej — remain dangerously high, showing fluctuating flows at multiple headworks.
Authorities are closely monitoring the situation as several key points continue to record heavy inflows. According to the 6:30 pm report, the River Chenab is witnessing declining levels at most locations.
At Marala Headworks, the flow was recorded at 163,440 cusecs and falling, while Khanki Headworks registered 335,956 cusecs, maintaining a steady level. Qadirabad Headworks reported 534,509 cusecs, also showing a downward trend, whereas Trimmu Headworks recorded 98,994 cusecs with a falling flow.
In the River Ravi, however, rising trends are visible at several points. Jassar recorded 99,470 cusecs with a falling tendency, but water levels increased significantly at downstream points. The Ravi Siphon registered 220,627 cusecs and rising, Shahdara reported 217,660 cusecs with an upward trend, and Sidhnai Headworks noted 25,743 cusecs, also rising. Balloki Headworks, however, maintained a steady flow at 116,335 cusecs.
The River Sutlej continues to carry heavy volumes. At Ganda Singh Wala, the inflow stood at 261,053 cusecs and remained steady, while Sulemanki Headworks reported 113,124 cusecs with a rising trend. At Islam Headworks, the flow was recorded at 54,756 cusecs and remained steady.
Officials have warned that sustained high inflows pose a serious threat to low-lying areas, with flood pressure expected to continue over the next 24 hours. Monitoring and precautionary measures are being enforced across vulnerable districts.
Flooding devastates nearly 1,400 villages
Flooding in the Chenab, Sutlej, and Ravi rivers has devastated nearly 1,400 villages across Punjab, displacing more than 1.2 million people.
Along the Chenab, 991 villages and 769,281 people have been impacted, while Ravi River's bank burst has affected 80 villages and 74,775 residents, and the Sutlej has inundated 361 villages, displacing 392,768 people.
Along with human evacuations, more than 148,000 livestock have been relocated to safer areas, with 234 animal treatment camps set up to provide medical support. More than 210,000 people have been moved to safer locations, including 25,000 accommodated in rescuse camps, according to the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) as of Thursday.
Meanwhile, Senior Punjab Minister Marriyum Aurangzeb said that the floods have claimed 12 lives, though timely evacuations in Shahdara prevented a larger tragedy.
“The entire country is currently facing a flood situation, and the Punjab and federal governments are working day and night to protect lives and property,” Marriyum Aurangzeb said while speaking to the media during her visit to various flood-affected sites on Thursday to review relief operations.
She added, “Rescue 1122 and other agencies have been actively engaged in relief work for the past three days. Rescue operations via boats are ongoing, and the government’s first priority is to safeguard human life.”
Marriyum noted that Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz and Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif had also visited Sialkot and Narowal to personally assess the flood situation and development work, issuing instructions to district authorities.
She highlighted that pre-emptive clearing of drains and canals had helped Punjab avoid a major crisis and praised the tireless efforts of rescue teams, saying, “All ministers have been assigned duties in their respective districts and are actively involved in relief work. Over 200,000 livestock have been moved to safe locations along with their owners, while women and children are being taken to secure shelters with food, medicine, and essential supplies provided.”
Abdul Aleem Khan has been supervising field operations for the past three days, while the Punjab chief minister continues to monitor the situation and receive daily reports.
Marriyum concluded, “Political leadership and state institutions are always ready to serve the public. The government’s top priority is the protection of citizens’ lives, property, and livestock, and no affected person will be left alone.”
PM stresses the need to enhance water storage capacity
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has called for collective efforts to address the recurring challenge of natural disasters, particularly floods, in the coming years.
Chairing a briefing in Narowal on the devastation caused by recent floods, the PM has stressed the need to enhance water storage capacity to mitigate flash floods. He stated that Diamer Bhasha and Mohmand dams can serve as key projects, adding that water reservoirs could also be developed in Chiniot.
Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif chairs a meeting regarding the flood situation in Punjab, in Narowal. pic.twitter.com/zFNTzEvXkX
Shehbaz said both federal and provincial governments have the capacity to generate resources and find solutions to the crisis. He emphasized that along with the National and Provincial Disaster Management Authorities, all allied departments must demonstrate preparedness to tackle natural calamities.
Expressing grief over the loss of lives and property, the PM lauded the armed forces for working closely with the civil administration in rescue and relief operations.
Chairman NDMA Lieutenant General Inam Haider Malik briefed the meeting on the scale of damage, noting that this year’s monsoon had been more intense and prolonged than in previous years, with high floodwaters recorded in the Chenab, Sutlej, and Ravi rivers.
Earlier, PM Shehbaz arrived in Lahore, where Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz welcomed him.
CM Maryam visits flood-hit areas
Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz inspected the flood situation at Shahdara while traveling by boat, where officials briefed her on the latest development.
Speaking on the occasion, she said that Punjab was facing a flood emergency following “unprecedented rains and India’s release of water after its dams filled up.”
She commended the efforts of the administration, noting that commissioners, deputy commissioners, rescue teams, and the health department had worked tirelessly.
وزیراعلیٰ پنجاب محترمہ مریم نواز شریف کا کشتی ميں سیلابی صورتحال کا جائزہ@MaryamNSharif pic.twitter.com/tSpcCWOFzB
“Had there been no preparedness, the damage would have been far greater. Such a flood has occurred after 38 years. Every life is precious, and people have been moved to safe locations,” she added. "By the grace of Allah, we were saved from massive destruction, though I deeply regret the losses that have still occurred".
RYK braces for highest flood wave in Indus since 2010
A massive flood wave of up to 1.2 million cusecs is expected to pass through the Indus River near Rahim Yar Khan within the next 36 hours, in what officials warn will be the largest surge since the catastrophic 2010 floods.
Rahim Yar Khan DC Khurram Pervaiz said a flood emergency has been enforced in the district, while Section 144 has been imposed to ensure residents evacuate vulnerable riverine areas.
District authorities warn that around 95 settlements could be hit — 44 completely and 51 partially — putting an estimated 325,000 people and over 557,000 livestock at risk.
“All assistant commissioners and police officials have been instructed to facilitate evacuations from the affected zones,” Pervaiz said.
Understanding flood levels
According to FFD, flood levels are categorized in five stages:
- A "low flood level" is where river flows are just above normal and generally contained within the banks.
- A "medium flood" indicates a stronger rise in water, posing risks to low-lying villages and crops near riverbanks.
- When a "high flood" is declared, the situation becomes dangerous as water may overflow or put severe pressure on embankments.
- Whereas, a "very high flood signals" a critical stage where large-scale inundation is expected.
- The most severe category is an extremely high flood, where river discharges exceed the safe design limits of barrages and embankments.
Public advisory
Punjab PDMA Relief Commissioner Nabeel Javed has directed commissioners and deputy commissioners to remain present in the field, stressing that PDMA is ensuring continuous coordination across the province.
He stated that evacuations from flood-affected areas must be carried out as quickly as possible, as protecting lives and property remains the top priority and responsibility. All relevant rescue and relief institutions have been placed on high alert.