The Flood Forecasting Division of the Pakistan Meteorological Department (PMD) in Lahore on Tuesday warned of a significant rise in water levels in the Chenab, Ravi and Sutlej rivers within the next 12 hours, as authorities brace for further flooding across Punjab.
According to the advisory, the Chenab River is expected to surge between 550,000 and 600,000 cusecs, the Ravi at Jassar may rise to 200,000 cusecs, while the Sutlej at Ganda Singh Wala could touch 280,000 cusecs.
Earlier, the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) issued a fresh alert for the Ravi River, citing heavy rainfall in upper catchments and the near-capacity filling of India’s Thein Dam, which is currently at 97 percent storage.
The NDMA warned that spillways of the dam could be opened at any time, potentially triggering a high flood in the Ravi.
“At Jassar, water flow in the Ravi has already reached 115,000 cusecs and may increase to 150,000 cusecs in the next 24 hours,” the NDMA said, adding that Shahdara could see flows rise from 50,000 cusecs to as high as 90,000 cusecs if spillways are released.
The authority also cautioned about possible high flows in tributaries of the Pir Panjal range, including Bein, Basanter and Degh, which may further exacerbate the flood situation.
Nearly 150,000 people have already been relocated across Punjab as part of pre-emptive measures, according to the NDMA.
Provincial and federal agencies have been directed to remain on high alert, while citizens have been advised to avoid unnecessary travel, stay away from rivers and low-lying areas.
Separately, the NDMA has issued an alert for heavy rainfall in various districts of Punjab and Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK) during the next 12 to 24 hours.
According to the alert released by NDMA’s National Emergency Operations Center (NEOC), there is a risk of flooding and landslides in these regions.
The disaster management authority said rainfall is expected in the districts of Gujrat, Gujranwala, Sialkot, Narowal, Lahore, and Kasur. In addition, Jhelum, Chakwal, Mandi Bahauddin, Hafizabad, Nankana Sahib, Chiniot, and Pakpattan are also likely to experience heavy rains within the next 12 to 24 hours. The rains may cause flooding in urban and low-lying areas, while water levels in local streams and nullahs may rise significantly.
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