Rivers Chenab, Sutlej and Ravi Overflow as Floods Devastate Punjab; Dozens Dead, Thousands Displaced
LAHORE:Heavy rains and water released from India have caused Rivers Chenab, Sutlej and Ravi to overflow, triggering a severe flood situation across Punjab and other regions of Pakistan. Water levels in major rivers continue to rise, inundating vast areas and displacing thousands of people.
At Shahdara, River Ravi has reached extremely high flood levels, with a recorded flow of **219,770 cusecs**, submerging areas including Farrukhabad, Aziz Colony, Amin Park, Afghan Colony, Shafiqabad, and Muridwala. Floodwaters also entered Lahore’s Badami Bagh and Chuhang localities.
According to the Flood Forecasting Division, water inflow at Siphon on River Ravi was recorded at **220,627 cusecs** by 11pm. Meanwhile, River Chenab at Chiniot registered a dangerous flow of **805,300 cusecs**, with rising levels also reported at Khanki (305,436 cusecs) and Trimmu Headworks. Sutlej at Ganda Singh Wala recorded a flow exceeding **261,000 cusecs**.
The swelling rivers have destroyed standing crops across Multan, Muzaffargarh, Vehari, Chiniot, Faisalabad and other districts. Entire villages have been submerged, forcing thousands to flee to safer locations. Crops of cotton, rice, and sugarcane have been wiped out in several areas.
In Multan, authorities warned that a dangerous flood surge in the Chenab could enter city limits within the next **24 to 48 hours**. To protect urban populations, breaches at Shershah Bund and Head Muhammad Wala are under consideration. Several villages in Jalalpur Pirwala are already under water.
Punjab Information Minister Azma Bokhari confirmed that **17 to 20 people have lost their lives** due to floods but assured that no affected area is without rescue and relief support.
Relief operations are ongoing:
* **Muzaffargarh**: 18 relief camps, 10 helipads, and field hospitals have been established.
* **Vehari**: A breach in the protective embankment at Basti Noon submerged dozens of villages.
* **Chiniot**: Over 100 villages are at risk; road connections cut off.
* **Faisalabad**: Rescue teams saved 10 people trapped by Ravi floodwaters in Jhamra.
* **Sargodha (Kot Momin)**: 40+ villages affected, 2,500 people evacuated with livestock.
* **Bahawalnagar & Bahawalpur**: River Sutlej’s fury displaced nearly **90,000 people** in Bahawalnagar alone; 18 relief camps set up, thousands of acres of crops destroyed.
Elsewhere, flash floods affected 17 villages in Gujranwala after Nala Palkhu overflowed. In Mandi Bahauddin, **69 villages** remain under water, while in Sialkot, flooding and rains suspended airport operations.
The disaster has devastated homes, farmland, and infrastructure, leaving thousands of families struggling to survive. Authorities remain on high alert as water levels continue to rise.
