Devastating floods have swept across Punjab after India released excess water from the Ravi, Chenab, and Sutlej rivers following heavy monsoon rains. At least 22 people have died, while many remain missing. More than 600,000 people have been affected, with thousands displaced from their homes.
On Thursday, several rivers overflowed, submerging hundreds of villages and destroying crops on millions of acres of farmland. The Ravi River rose dangerously at Shahdara, where the flow reached 145,160 cusecs, creating a high-level flood. Officials warned that another wave of 155,000 cusecs is expected to reach Sharaqpur, the first such surge since 1988.
The Chenab River also remains under severe pressure. At Head Qadirabad, the water flow dropped by 100,000 cusecs compared to yesterday but is still above safe levels. Headworks with a capacity of 800,000 cusecs remain at risk. Meanwhile, the Sutlej River continues to face exceptional flooding, recording 261,000 cusecs at Ganda Singh Wala and 191,000 cusecs at Head Marala.
Districts across Punjab have been hit hard by these devastating floods. Narowal has seen villages submerged and major roads cut off. In Qila Ahmadabad, railway tracks were damaged, halting train services. In Kot Naina, several bridges collapsed as floodwaters surged into settlements. Thousands of acres of crops in Narang Mandi were destroyed, leaving farmers in despair.
Authorities have launched emergency operations in the worst-hit regions. Rescue 1122, police, and army units are working round the clock to evacuate residents. In Arifwala, entire villages were evacuated, while floodwaters near Sahiwal reached GT Road, threatening infrastructure.
The Punjab PDMA confirmed that all departments are on high alert. Despite some decline in water levels, the risk of further devastation remains. The government has urged people to stay cautious as devastating floods continue to endanger lives and livelihoods.
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