Lahore/Karachi — Punjab is once again staring down a high-risk flood situation after India reportedly opened all spillways of the Salal Dam, sending an estimated 800,000 cusecs of water surging toward the Chenab River. Pakistani officials say no prior warning was issued, leaving local authorities scrambling to evacuate vulnerable areas and reinforce embankments.
The Provincial Disaster Management Authority (PDMA) has issued red alerts for the Sutlej, Ravi, Chenab, and several seasonal rivers, warning that the next 48 hours will be critical. “We’re looking at extremely high flood levels in multiple locations,” PDMA Director General Irfan Ali Kathia said, pointing to forecasts that water levels at Head Trimmu on the Chenab could reach “exceptionally high” marks by September 3.
Sudden Water Surges Compound Existing Crisis
Punjab’s flood vulnerability this season has been worsened by back-to-back water releases from Indian dams following torrential rains upstream. Emergency officials say sudden discharges from Bhakra, Pong, and Ranjit Sagar dams have already pushed water levels in the Sutlej and Ravi to historic highs.
Meteorologists are warning of heavy rainfall in Himachal Pradesh and Madhya Pradesh, meaning even more inflows could follow. In some areas, like Mohlanwal on Lahore’s outskirts, homes have already been submerged, forcing residents to flee.
“We have limited water storage and decades of unchecked construction on riverbanks. This is a dangerous mix,” a senior irrigation department engineer told reporters.
Punjab’s Evacuation and Relief Operations
Evacuations are underway in 25 districts across Punjab, including Lahore, Faisalabad, Kasur, Jhang, Gujrat, Bahawalnagar, and Muzaffargarh. Provincial authorities have deployed over 15,000 police personnel, backed by 40 rescue boats and 700 vehicles, to assist in moving people and livestock out of harm’s way.
The Pakistan Army has carried out controlled breaches near Qadirabad Headworks to divert floodwaters and protect major infrastructure. The move has sacrificed thousands of acres of farmland but is being described as necessary to safeguard densely populated areas.
Drone technology is being used to locate stranded families, while makeshift flood barriers have so far prevented devastation in Sheikhupura and other towns. Medical and relief camps are operating across affected regions, distributing food, clean water, and essential medicines.
Casualties Continue to Rise Nationwide
According to the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA), flooding has killed 23 people in the last 24 hours alone—18 in Punjab, four in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, and one in Balochistan. Since late June, the nationwide death toll has climbed to 854, with more than 1,130 injured.
Over 1.5 million people have been displaced, and flooding has devastated over 2,300 villages and vast swathes of farmland.
Sindh Prepares for Rising Waters
With floodwaters now moving downstream, Sindh Chief Minister Murad Ali Shah has ordered heightened surveillance of vulnerable embankments, especially near Guddu, Sukkur, and Qadirpur.
Shah said the province has activated 948 relief camps, with 514 already operational, and mobile health teams deployed along riverbanks. Special stocks of anti-venom medicines are being prepared to tackle expected spikes in snakebite cases in inundated areas.
“This flood will pass more quickly than 2010’s disaster,” Shah said, noting that water flow is currently lower than the historic super flood that devastated Sindh 15 years ago.
A Prolonged Emergency
Experts are calling this year’s flooding an “unprecedented hydrological crisis”. With rivers already at or above critical levels and more rainfall expected, officials warn that the situation could worsen before it improves.
Authorities are urging residents in low-lying and riverbank areas to follow evacuation orders and avoid unnecessary movement near water channels.
Despite massive rescue operations, Punjab remains on edge. “We’ve saved thousands of lives already,” a senior rescue official said, “but the real test is the next 48 hours.”
