Fresh flood fury as India releases more water in Ravi, Sutlej, Chenab

PDMA says floods so far affected 3.3m people, 3,300 villages in Punjab: Relief commissioner raises concerns over surge in Indian dam levels

Published: 01:57 PM, 3 Sep, 2025
Topics, Environment
Fresh flood fury as India releases more water in Ravi, Sutlej, Chenab
Caption: Villagers ferry a boat through floodwater to reach a safer place following heavy rain showers and rising water levels at Ganda Singh Wala in Kasur.–AFP

The Ravi, Chenab and Sutlej rivers were re-surging after another flood wave roared into them on Wednesday, following a  fresh flood alert from India, reported 24NewsHD TV channel.

The Provincial Disaster Management Authority (PDMA) Punjab raised alarm bells following the new flood fury, issuing a new alert after India released more water into the Ravi and Sutlej rivers.

The new flood flow is significantly stronger, as the water flow at Khanki Headworks has reached 478,000 cusecs. The water level at Head Marala rose and reached 400,000 cusecs over the last eight hours.

More rain in several areas across Pakistan is expected throughout the month of September 2025.

The PDMA alert stated that water flow will continue to rise in the Ravi, Sutlej, and Chenab till September 5, 2025. 

The PDMA said that the water flow of the River Ravi will further increase; however, at the moment, the water level was recorded at 89,000 cusecs at Jester. Water flow at Shahdara is 55,000 cusecs, 56,000 cusecs at Syphon and 112,000 cusecs at Balloki Headworks.

Earlier in the day, the Punjab Disaster Management Authority (PDMA) said that the floods in the Ravi, Sutlej, and Chenab rivers have affected more than 3.3 million people.

According to Punjab Relief Commissioner Nabeel Javed, 43 people have lost their lives in the recent flooding, while more than 3,300 villages have been affected. He maintained that around 1.29 million flood-affected people have been relocated to safe areas through rescue and relief operations.

Nearly 799,000 animals have also been shifted to safer areas, he said, adding that 405 relief camps, 425 medical camps, and 385 veterinary camps have been set up in the affected districts.

He said that following the directives of the Punjab chief minister, compensation will be ensured, and special relief packages will be provided to farmers whose crops have been damaged.

The PDMA report stated that Mangla Dam is 83 percent full while Tarbela Dam has reached 100 per cent of its capacity.

On the Indian side, the Bhakra Dam is 84 percent full, Pong Dam 98 per cent and Thein Dam 92 per cent, raising concerns over water flow in the coming days, it added.

Meanwhile, monsoon rains have continued across Punjab. In the past 24 hours, Sialkot received 101mm of rainfall, Gujranwala 59mm, Gujrat 48mm, Narowal 41mm, Lahore 14mm, Murree 12mm, Mandi Bahauddin 4mm, Hafizabad 2mm, and Faisalabad 1mm, according to PDMA officials.

The department has forecast further heavy rainfall over the next 24 hours in most districts of Punjab, urging citizens to remain cautious and cooperate with rescue teams.

Relief Commissioner Javed reiterated that the government remains committed to assisting flood-hit families:
“We will compensate citizens for their losses and ensure that farmers’ damages are properly assessed and addressed.”

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Ali Ramay

Ali Ramay is a Senior Investigative Reporter associated with Pakistan's City News Network (CNN). He has been associated with the CNN group since 2013 and mainly covers investigative stories in departments under the Punjab Government.