Sialkot Sees Record Rainfall, Flood Alerts Issued has recorded its highest-ever rainfall in 24 hours, reaching 364mm, breaking the previous record of 299.2mm set in 1961. According to the Meteorological Department, rainfall at Sialkot airport alone was measured at 198mm.
The Chenab River is currently in extremely high flood at Marala Headworks, with an inflow of 671,148 cusecs and an outflow of 664,618 cusecs. Officials said the barrage can handle up to 1.1 million cusecs, but rising water levels remain a concern.
Heavy rains were also reported in other parts of Punjab, including Gujrat (115mm), Narowal (102mm), Mangla (48mm), Jhelum (47mm), Gujranwala (34mm), and Lahore (27mm).
The National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) confirmed that Tarbela Dam’s spillways will be opened today at 12:30pm to release 250,000 cusecs of water. The authority warned that fresh rains in upstream Indian states could further increase river flows into Pakistan.
In an advisory, NDMA issued a heavy rainfall alert for Punjab. The warning covered Gujrat, Gujranwala, Sialkot, Narowal, Lahore, Kasur, Jhelum, Chakwal, Mandi Bahauddin, Hafizabad, Nankana Sahib, Chunian, and Pakpattan. It also cautioned of possible urban flooding in low-lying areas and further swelling of rivers and canals.
Lahore has been placed on high alert as 23,000 cusecs of water entered the Ravi River near the city. Authorities fear a very high flood situation within the next 48 hours.
Meanwhile, the Sutlej River has risen again after India released more water, submerging several villages in Tehsil Burewala. Irrigation officials reported an inflow of 48,564 cusecs and an outflow of 46,564 cusecs at Islam Headworks. Floodwaters have already damaged thousands of acres of crops, worsening the situation for farmers.
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