The Rivers Chenab and Ravi were in very high flood at Chiniot, Balloki and Sidhnai with the authorities still on the watch out amid lull in the rain, reported 24NewsHD TV channel.
Meanwhile, Pakistan Army has taken control of Gujrat city after worsening urban flooding situation in the city. Life in Gujrat was disrupted for several days as citizens were confined to their homes after the district administration failed to stop floodwaters. Now Pakistan Army has built a temporary protective bank at Lorai Chowk, it is expected that after the construction of the bank, water will no longer enter the urban population.
384,124 cusecs passing through Panjnad
The Flood Forecasting Division (FFD) recorded a flow of 384,124 cusecs passing through the Panjnad headworks on the Chenab River, indicating a high flood level.
Meanwhile, data shows a very high flood level in the Ravi River between the Balloki (157,065) and Sidhnai (97,242) headworks, while an exceptionally high flood level persists at Ganda Singh Wala (303,828) on the Sutlej River.
Villages submerged and crops destroyed
The situation has intensified after excess water was released by India, pushing massive flood relays into Pakistani rivers. In Sindh, the water flow was recorded at 357,000 cusecs at Guddu Barrage and 327,000 cusecs at Sukkur Barrage.
Floodwaters have broken protective dams in Bahawalpur, Multan, and Shujaabad, submerging villages and destroying crops on millions of acres. In Multan, water reached Sher Shah Toll Plaza after a breach at Zamindar Dam, forcing authorities to erect temporary barriers. Several parts of the DG Khan National Highway were also inundated.
In Sutlej, a flood relay of 100,000 cusecs submerged four tehsils of Bahawalpur. In Gujarat, floodwaters still choke streets after three days, shutting down markets and offices. Shorkot-Khanewal railway section also remains closed as a flood carrying 260,000 cusecs passed through Sultan Bahu Bridge.
Loss of Lives and Infrastructure
Tragedy has followed the floods, with two youths drowning in Mandi Bahauddin. In Shujaabad’s Basti Gagra, a 200-foot-wide crack in the protective dam allowed water into settlements. At Basti Greywala in Multan, water levels continue to rise.
In Chiniot, rescue teams shifted 25 people to safety, adding to a total of 1,312 rescues so far. Meanwhile, in Khanewal and Uch Sharif, dozens of villages have been submerged, with standing crops destroyed.
Flooding has damaged a 110-kilometer fence along the Indian border, submerging 90 Border Security Force posts inside India as well. The Sutlej, Ravi, and Chenab rivers have caused damage to both sides of the border.
According to Irfan Kathia, DG of PDMA Punjab, at least 51 people have lost their lives in Punjab due to the ongoing floods. The government continues relief and rescue operations, but thousands remain displaced, with fears of further damage as water levels keep rising.
NDMA alerts Southern Punjab of heavy rains during 24-48 hours
NDMA alerted the South Punjab administration and the public as heavy rainfall and strong winds are expected in the next 24 to 48 hours.
The areas expected to receive the intermittent torrents include Bahawalpur, Bahawalnagar, Ahmedpur, Liaquatpur, Zahir Peer, Rajanpur, Muzaffargarh, DG Khan, Rahim Yar Khan and Sadiqabad.
The overflowing of rivers and possible risk of land sliding also lurks because of the thunderstorms.
The gusts of wind and storms can cause weak trees to fall and disrupt power systems. Traffic accidents are possible as visibility will be affected by the rain and dust.
The public is advised to park vehicles at safe spots, avoid unnecessary travel during the rain and follow the instructions of local administration.
Flood level slightly drops at Kotri
The water level at the Kotri barrage, one of the three barrages on the Indus River, has slightly dropped as the barrage awaits a super flood in over a week, APP reports. Irrigation officials said that 243,055 cusecs were recorded in the barrage upstream and 222,500 cusecs in the downstream by 3pm. Around 20,000 cusecs of water were being released in the four canals springing from Kotri.