The Provincial Disaster Management Authority (PDMA) has issued a fresh flood warning for Punjab, cautioning that more than 70,000 cusecs of water are expected to flow into Pakistan from India in the coming days.
Heavy rains worsen situation
At a press conference in Lahore, PDMA Director General Irfan Ali Kathia said recent heavy rains across the region have intensified the flood threat. Gujrat and Mandi Bahauddin recorded the heaviest downpours in the last 24 hours, pushing river levels upward.
Kathia confirmed that while water at Ganda Singh Wala has eased slightly after a dam breach in India, high flood conditions continue at Head Sulemanki and Head Islam.
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At Head Marala, inflows have surged to 175,000 cusecs.
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In Chiniot, water levels touched 800,000 cusecs before receding to around 650,000 cusecs.
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A massive flood wave of about 830,000 cusecs is now headed towards Head Trimu.
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At Head Muhammad Wala, flows between 700,000–800,000 cusecs are forcing officials to consider controlled breaches of embankments to save major cities.
Flood impact and rescue operations
So far, the floods have affected nearly 1.5 million people across Punjab:
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966,000 people along the Chenab
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232,000 people along the Ravi
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313,000 people along the Sutlej
Kathia confirmed at least 30 deaths, mostly from flood-related accidents.
Relief efforts are underway with more than 800 rescue boats, 13,000 personnel, and direct support from the Pakistan Army. Hundreds of relief camps have been set up, including shelters in Lahore where 6,000–7,000 displaced residents are receiving food and assistance.
Lack of coordination with India
The PDMA chief also criticized the absence of an information-sharing mechanism with India, stating that Pakistan receives no timely alerts regarding water releases across the border.
“Despite federal efforts, India does not provide advance warnings. Once rescue operations are completed, full-scale rehabilitation will begin for the victims,” Kathia said.