Punjab PDMA addresses flood situation; FFD releases water flow stats

LAHORE: Punjab is experiencing the largest flood in its history, according to Punjab Provincial Disaster Management Authority (PDMA) Director General Irfan Ali Kathia.

As of today, 260,000 cusecs of water are flowing through Kasur via the Sutlej River. The water level at Head Sulemanki is currently 144,000 cusecs and is expected to reach 175,000 cusecs by this evening. A volume of 135,000 cusecs is moving toward Pakpattan, Bahawalnagar, and Vehari. This is expected to affect areas of Bahawalnagar and Bahawalpur within 24 to 48 hours.

Also read: Flood continues to ravage Punjab, triggers large-scale displacement

The PDMA reports that water from the Ravi will merge with the Chenab River on September 2, potentially impacting Kabirwala and Khanewal due to backflow. Currently, the highest volume of water is being recorded in the Chenab.

Water is also reaching Head Trimmu, where an increase of 100,000 cusecs was recorded within one hour, said Irfan Ali of the PDMA. By September 1 (Monday), 700,000 cusecs are expected at Head Trimmu. Water from the Ravi and Chenab is projected to reach Head Muhammad Wala and Multan, with possible difficulties at Head Muhammad Wala and Sher Shah Bridge.

Authorities have ordered necessary precautions in Multan. The floodwaters are expected to reach Head Panjnad on September 4 and enter Sindh by September 6.

So far, 2,200 villages have been affected across Punjab. Floodwaters from Sutlej and Ravi continue to expand the affected zones, while Chenab’s flow is expected to impact Muzaffargarh and Multan. According to the DG PDMA, 2 million people have been affected by the disaster.

District administrations remain active in impacted areas. The death toll has reached 33. Approximately 750,000 people have been rescued. Rescue operations have involved rafts to evacuate both people and animals. Relief efforts are being coordinated, with supplies expected to arrive by September 6.

Rainfall continues to complicate the situation. Heavy rains were reported in Sialkot, Narowal, and Gujrat, with drainage work underway. Rain is expected to persist until September 2.

Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz visited PDMA yesterday, PDMA DG said, adding that a three-hour meeting was held to review the flood situation and rescue efforts.

MARRIYUM AURANGZEB SHARES RELIEF EFFORTS

Meanwhile, Punjab Senior Minister Marriyum Aurangzeb held a press conference on Sunday, saying, “Punjab is facing an unprecedented flood situation. Ravi, Sutlej and Chenab are in flood condition”. She added that 32 people have died due to flood.

All the machinery of the Punjab government is busy in providing relief to the affected people, Aurangzeb said, adding that the government’s first priority is to save the lives of the people. “No loss of life was caused due to negligence,” she added.

She said that two million people in Punjab have been affected by the floods, while 7.5 million people have been shifted to safe places through rescue operations. More than 5.5 million cattle were also shifted to safe places.

“Performance of all relevant institutions including police, rescue has improved,” the minister said, adding that the flood damage will be assessed and remedied after the water recedes.

Also read: Power Division reports progress on electricity restoration in flood-hit areas

All schools in the affected areas of the province have been converted into relief camps. The damage has also been reduced due to the timely cleaning of drains. “Many districts including Jhang, Multan, Muzaffargarh, Okara, Vehari are on high alert,” she said.

FLOOD FORECASTING DIVISION (FFD) SHARES FLOOD WATER STATS

• Extremely high flood at Baloki in the Ravi River. Water flow at Baloki in the Ravi River recorded 204,395 cusecs
• Jasar and Shahdara in the Ravi River Moderate flood at Jasar in River Ravi, 84,060 cusecs of water discharge recorded
• Water flow at Shahdara in River Ravi, 76,600 cusecs of water discharge recorded
• Flood situation at Panjand is normal
• Extremely high flood at Gandasinghwala in River Sutlej
• Water flow at Gandasinghwala was recorded at 253,068 cusecs
• High flood at Sulaimanki in River Sutlej. Water flow at Sulaimanki was recorded at 154,219 cusecs
• Low level flood at Head Islam in River Sutlej, 68,000 cusecs of water discharge
• River Chenab High level of flood at Trimu and Qadirabad in Chenab River. Water flow at Qadirabad in Chenab River recorded 225,138 cusecs
• Water flow at Head Trimu in Chenab River recorded 361,633 cusecs
• Water flow at Khanki in Chenab River recorded 163,15 cusecs
• Water flow at Taunsa in Indus River is normal
• Water flow at Taunsa in Indus River recorded at 266,000 cusecs
• Low level of flood at Guddu, discharge 377,000 cusecs

NDMA DISTRIBUTES RELIEF RATIONS

As part of the ongoing response to the flood emergency, the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) is actively distributing relief rations to affected areas in Punjab in coordination with provincial governments.

Relief efforts are focused on six districts, with recent dispatches including four truckloads of ration supplies sent to Wazirabad and Hafizabad. Each ration bag weighs 46 kilograms and contains 22 essential items. Similar consignments have already been delivered to Narowal and Sialkot, while preparations are underway to supply relief to Chiniot and Jhang.

The NDMA is utilising national resources along with support from the private sector and industries. Acting on the Prime Minister’s directives, NDMA continues to expand its operations to rehabilitate the affected populations in close collaboration with relevant agencies.