NDMA Warns of Severe Flooding in Punjab, Army Assistance Requested

The National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) has issued a warning that the Punjab region, including Lahore, is at “very high to exceptionally high” risk of flooding. This is due to substantial rainfall combined with the release of large water volumes from Indian dams. Consequently, there have been requests to deploy the army in six districts.

Both Pakistan and India have experienced intense monsoon rains and subsequent flooding in recent weeks.

The discharge of surplus water from Indian dams presents an increased flood threat to areas of Punjab province. This region is vital as the nation’s primary agricultural area and home to half of Pakistan’s population.

Continuous rainfall, along with water releases from India, has elevated river levels to hazardous points, compelling authorities to issue warnings.

Floodwaters have risen in the Ravi, Chenab, and Sutlej rivers, leading to breaches in Narowal, Sialkot, and Shakargarh. Reports indicate that in Zafarwal, a section of the Hanjli Bridge collapsed due to the Nullah Dek’s force, isolating numerous villages by severing road access.

The NDMA’s most recent advisory described the situation as “extreme,” cautioning that vulnerable zones are already imperiled.

The Ravi River, experiencing rapid swelling at Jassar, is currently carrying 170,000 cusecs of water and is expected to reach 250,000 cusecs. This volume could overwhelm existing embankments and cause widespread inundation of nearby communities.

The Chenab River at Marala may potentially reach 690,000 cusecs, while the Sutlej River at Ganda Singh Wala is already flowing at 245,000 cusecs, with further increases anticipated.

Rescue teams are working to prepare for potential scenarios. The NDMA has advised residents in low-lying areas to seek safer locations, stressing the potential risks of delaying evacuation.

In areas like Shahdara and along the M-2, the Ravi’s rising levels are prompting residents to prepare for possible evacuations.

Officials are advising citizens to limit travel to essential trips only and to maintain contact with local rescue services.

“The rivers are extremely dangerous at the moment,” an official stated, emphasizing that the coming hours will determine whether defenses will hold or whether nearby areas will require immediate evacuation.

Rescue teams are actively using boats to move stranded inhabitants from areas near the rivers. Overflowing Nullah Bainsi and Nullah Basantar in Shakargarh have submerged roads and multiple villages.

The provincial government has requested army assistance to support civil authorities as floodwaters continue to disrupt life in six districts, including Lahore, Kasur, Sialkot, Faisalabad, Narowal, and Okara.

Authorities have mentioned that district administrations in affected regions have requested urgent military assistance to protect people and aid ongoing rescue efforts.

Although Rescue 1122, civil defense, police, and local administrations are present, the crisis’s scale has stretched their resources.

The Punjab Home Department has formally requested the federal interior ministry to deploy troops in the six impacted districts.

The Provincial Disaster Management Authority (PDMA) reported that India had opened all gates of the Thein Dam on the Ravi River. The Indian water resources ministry has not yet commented.

This announcement occurred a day after Pakistan received notice from India about releasing water from the rapidly filling Madhopur Dam. Both dams are located on the Ravi River, which flows from Indian Punjab into Pakistan.

“The flood situation is serious,” stated Irfan Ali Kathia, an official at the PDMA in Punjab. “The next 48 hours are critical.”

Previously, a spokesperson for Pakistan’s National Disaster Management Authority indicated that assessments of satellite images of Thein Dam showed that it was at 97% capacity and could release water imminently.

India periodically releases water from its dams when they reach capacity, with the excess flowing into Pakistan, as both nations share river systems. The Punjab province was divided between the two countries during the 1947 independence.

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, leading a meeting about the flood situation, was informed that more than 174,000 individuals had been evacuated from flooded districts of Punjab due to the River Sutlej’s overflow.

He instructed authorities to expedite rescue efforts, especially in flood-affected districts along the river, and ensure the rapid supply of food, medical supplies, and shelter.

The NDMA chairman has been directed to maintain close collaboration with the PDMA.

Authorities have reported that early warnings facilitated evacuations, preventing casualties in certain areas despite substantial flooding in the River Sutlej at Ganda Singh Wala and Sulemanki, the River Ravi at Jassar, and the River Chenab at Marala. Significant flooding has also been reported in Nullah Dek.

Evacuations from the Lehri Bund area in Narowal are ongoing, while efforts to restore power are underway in sections of KP.

Repair operations are being conducted on a two-kilometer section of the submerged National Highway in Gilgit-Baltistan. Weather forecasts predict heavy rainfall in Lahore, Gujranwala, Gujrat, Rawalpindi, AJK, and several districts of Gilgit-Baltistan within the next 12 to 24 hours.