Ravi River surge floods housing societies in Lahore

Continuous rains and the release of water from India have kept the Chenab, Sutlej, and Ravi rivers in high flood, with water levels still rising. Several areas of Lahore have been inundated, forcing emergency evacuations.

In Shahdara, housing societies along the Ravi River were submerged, prompting residents to leave their homes. Videos circulating on social media showed police making announcements for evacuation, while rescue teams assisted families in moving to safer locations.

Floodwaters at Shahdara have reached a dangerous level, submerging Farrukhabad, Aziz Colony, Amin Park, Afghan Colony, Shafiqabad, and Maridwala. Water has also entered Badami Bagh and spread into several areas of Chohang.

DIG Operations Faisal Kamran said that police and rescue officials are working to secure affected localities.

Meanwhile, floodwaters have destroyed crops across multiple districts, including Multan, Muzaffargarh, Vehari, Chiniot, and Faisalabad. Large swathes of agricultural land remain under water, leaving thousands displaced as villages and settlements are submerged.

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According to the Flood Forecasting Division, Ravi River's water inflow at Shahdara was reported 219,770 cusecs.

In the Chenab, water flow at Chiniot Bridge has risen to 85,300 cusecs, while Khanki has recorded 355,436 cusecs. The Trimmu Headworks is also witnessing a sharp rise.

Similarly, the Sutlej River at Ganda Singh Wala has swelled to over 261,000 cusecs, with authorities rushing to relocate residents to safety.

In Multan, authorities have warned that the Chenab’s floodwaters could enter city limits within the next 24 to 48 hours. To protect urban areas, a breach at Head Muhammad Wala has been planned.

Authorities have also decided to breach the Sher Shah and Head Muhammad Wala dams as precautionary measures to mitigate further disaster.

Thousands of families living along the banks of the Ravi, Sutlej, and Chenab rivers remain at the mercy of the floods, as land, homes, crops, and livelihoods, sink beneath the rising waters.