Ravi, Chenab, Sutlej overflow as 500 families evacuated, 11 reported dead

A severe flood situation has developed in Punjab as water levels continue to rise in major rivers, particularly Ravi, Chenab, and Sutlej, submerging villages, damaging standing crops, and breaching protective embankments.

At Shahdara and Jastar points in Lahore, the Ravi River has reached extremely high flood levels, with authorities declaring the next 12 hours critical.

According to the Provincial Disaster Management Authority (PDMA), water flow at Shahdara has reached 180,000 cusecs, expected to surge to 200,000 cusecs.

Over 500 families have already been relocated to safer places, while evacuation from some low-lying settlements is still underway.

Meanwhile, at Head Qadirabad on the Chenab River, water flow has swelled to nearly 996,000 cusecs, exceeding the barrage’s capacity of 800,000 cusecs by almost 200,000 cusecs.

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PDMA Director General Irfan Ali Kathia warned that pressure on the left embankment poses a serious risk of breach, which could endanger Hafizabad and Chiniot districts.

Explosives have been placed at certain embankments in Chiniot for a possible controlled breach to prevent larger devastation.

Local administrations, irrigation staff, and rescue teams remain on high alert, with sirens sounded to warn nearby residents. Despite these measures, 11 deaths have been reported so far from roof collapses and drowning incidents.

The Ravi River has also surged near Head Balloki, while in Shakargarh’s Bhiku Chak area, a protective dyke collapsed, submerging several villages.

Rescue teams are continuously monitoring the situation, and disaster cells have been activated to strengthen embankments and coordinate evacuation efforts.