Nearly 3.9m people affected by floods across Punjab: PDMA

WEB DESK: The Punjab Provincial Disaster Management Authority (PDMA) has released a report detailing the scale of destruction caused by ongoing floods across the province, with millions displaced and dozens of lives lost. According to Punjab Relief Commissioner Nabeel Javed, floodwaters from the Ravi, Sutlej, and Chenab rivers have inundated more than 3,900 villages with the devastation directly impacting over 3.89 million people, while at least 1.839 million residents have been evacuated to safer locations through large-scale relief operations.

Tragically, 49 people have lost their lives in the recent flooding incidents, officials confirmed. The Relief Commissioner noted that the government, under directives from the Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz, will ensure compensation for citizens whose properties and livelihoods have been damaged. To manage the crisis, 415 relief camps, 466 medical camps, and 398 veterinary camps have been set up in affected districts. Authorities have also managed to move approximately 1.342 million livestock to higher ground to prevent further losses.

The PDMA report reflected the mounting pressure on the country’s reservoirs. Mangla Dam is currently at 87 percent capacity, while Tarbela Dam has reached 100 percent. Across the border, India’s Bhakra Dam stands at 84 percent capacity, Pong Dam at 98 percent, and Thein Dam at 92 percent, contributing to heavy inflows into Punjab’s rivers: “The floods have brought immense hardship, but our priority remains safeguarding lives, providing relief, and ensuring that affected families receive support in rebuilding,” Javed said.

ECP postpones Punjab by-elections due to floods

The PDMA has urged residents in vulnerable areas to remain alert and heed evacuation advisories, warning that further rainfall and water releases from upstream dams could worsen the situation in the coming days.

More water released by India

India has once again informed Pakistan about the release of water into the Sutlej River, prompting the Ministry of Water Resources to issue an alert. According to the notification, water releases from India are expected to cause high flood levels at Harike and Ferozepur.

Health Ministry warns of disease outbreaks after floods

Authorities have warned that the inflows could significantly raise water levels downstream in Pakistan, posing risks to low-lying settlements along the Sutlej. Provincial and district administrations have been directed to remain on high alert, monitor the situation closely, and ensure timely evacuation and safety measures in vulnerable areas to minimise potential damage.

Exceptionally high flood at Ganda Singh Wala

The Flood Forecasting Division has reported severe flooding at multiple points along Punjab’s rivers, with the Sutlej, Ravi, and Chenab experiencing dangerously high water flows. At Ganda Singh Wala on the Sutlej, an exceptionally high flood has been recorded with water discharge measured at 311,000 cusecs, while at Head Sulaimanki, the discharge stands at 141,000 cusecs, categorised as a high flood. At Head Islam, the river is facing a medium flood with flows of 102,000 cusecs.

Can Pakistan build dams on Ravi, Sutlej and Beas to contain floods?

The Ravi River is also under strain, with a medium flood at Jassar where 73,000 cusecs are passing through, and a high flood at Shahdara with 112,000 cusecs. At Balloki, the Ravi faces an extremely high flood with 144,000 cusecs, while at Sidhnai the discharge has reached 121,000 cusecs, also marked as extremely high. The Chenab River is in flood at several points: Head Marala has recorded a low flood with 113,000 cusecs, but downstream the situation worsens.

Another rain spell predicted from tomorrow

At Khanki, flows have reached 199,000 cusecs, at Qadirabad 217,000 cusecs, and at Chiniot a very high flood of 539,000 cusecs has been reported. Trimmu is facing high flood conditions with 331,000 cusecs, while at Panjnad a medium flood of 210,000 cusecs has been recorded.