LAHORE: Following days of torrential rain, water inflows into major dams have surged, while floodwaters continue to rise across Punjab as rivers and reservoirs reach critical levels, prompting authorities to issue urgent evacuation orders in vulnerable areas.
According to the Flood Forecasting Division of the Pakistan Meteorological Department (PMD), Tarbela Dam has reached its full capacity at 1,550 feet, while Mangla Dam is 80 percent full at 1,223 feet. Khanpur Dam is at 1,981 feet, Rawal Dam at 1,751 feet, and Simly Dam at 2,314 feet.
Severe flooding in rivers
Extremely high flood levels have been reported at Ravi Siphon, Shahdara, Chiniot Bridge, and Ganda Singh Wala near Kasur. The Chenab and Ravi rivers, along with their tributaries, are experiencing heavy inflows, with Palkhu Nala facing high flood levels, Basantar recording medium flood, and Bein at low flood.
At Chiniot, a massive flow of 780,500 cusecs was recorded at the bridge. The Chenab at Khanki registered an inflow and outflow of 216,469 cusecs, while at Marala the flow was 110,496 cusecs. At Qadirabad, the river witnessed high flood with 265,776 cusecs passing through.
The Ravi at Shahdara is seeing an extremely high flood of 217,660 cusecs, while at Balloki, the river recorded an inflow of 130,945 cusecs and an outflow of 119,045 cusecs. Jassar reported a low flood with 95,580 cusecs.
The Sutlej river is also in severe flood at Ganda Singh Wala, where 261,053 cusecs are flowing, while at Sulemanki, a medium flood with 113,124 cusecs was recorded.
Rising waters in Rojhan
In Rojhan, authorities warned of a major flood wave expected to hit in the next two days as the waters of five rivers, including the Indus, converge at Kot Mithan. Between Saturday and Monday, an estimated 1 to 1.2 million cusecs are expected to pass through the region. Residents of Kacha areas have been advised to evacuate immediately, and the process of shifting families to safer locations has accelerated.
Casualties and damages
In Sheikhupura’s Ferozewala area, a house collapsed in Mehr Colony, killing a woman and injuring a child, rescue officials confirmed. In Lahore, Khokhar Town was submerged, where Rescue 1122 teams evacuated two people trapped inside a house.
In Chiniot’s Lalian tehsil, the protective dyke broke, prompting officials to direct residents to move to safer places.
Evacuations underway in Nankana Sahib
In Nankana Sahib, the deputy commissioner ordered the immediate evacuation of flood-affected areas, directing the administration to ensure no residents remain in danger zones.
Authorities are continuing rescue and relief operations as floodwaters spread across central Punjab.