Rising Threat of Floods as Indian Dams Release Water; Embankment Breaks in Multan
Islamabad: Continuous water releases from Indian dams have raised fears of worsening floods in Punjab, with the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) issuing a high alert. Districts including Kasur, Okara, Pakpattan, Burewala, Arifwala, and Bahawalnagar face the risk of high floods as Sutlej River swells to dangerous levels.
According to reports, a major embankment collapsed in Multan Division due to intense flood pressure, forcing locals to evacuate their homes along with livestock. Near Multan Toll Plaza, the Sher Shah embankment gave way, pushing floodwaters toward the highway. Authorities warned that once water reaches the toll plaza, ground links between Multan and Muzaffargarh will be cut off.
At Ganda Singh Wala, water flow was recorded at 335,591 cusecs, an unusually high level, mainly due to heavy discharges from India’s Pong Dam (98% full) and Bhakra Dam (96% full). High flood conditions are expected at Head Sulemanki (132,000 cusecs) and Head Islam (95,700 cusecs).
The Provincial Disaster Management Authority (PDMA) confirmed 46 deaths and over 3.5 million people affected in Punjab so far. Nearly 4,000 villages have been submerged, with 1.5 million people rescued. Around 1.3 million acres of farmland are under water, causing massive agricultural and economic losses.
Floodwaters from Ravi and Chenab are now merging near Khanewal, creating a “double threat” for Multan and Muzaffargarh. Authorities are considering controlled breaches at 17 locations, including Head Muhammadwala and Sher Shah, to reduce pressure on embankments and protect urban centers.
Meanwhile, dozens of villages in Kabirwala, Shujabad, and Lodhran have been inundated. Local communities are evacuating on their own as floodwaters sweep away homes, crops, and infrastructure. The Flood Forecasting Division has warned of extremely high flood levels at multiple points on the Ravi and Chenab rivers, with water inflows crossing dangerous thresholds.
دریائے راوی، چناب اور ستلج میں بہت اونچے سے انتہائی اونچے درجے کا سیلاب برقرار#FloodAlert #RiverDischarge #PakistanFloods #ChenabRiver #RaviRiver #SutlejRiver #FloodWarning #MediumFlow #VeryHighFlow #ExtremeHighFlow #FFD #DisasterPreparedness #RiverMonitoring #ClimateImpact pic.twitter.com/L5MyM0uGra
— Pak Met Department محکمہ موسمیات (@pmdgov) September 4, 2025
Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz has directed compensation for affected farmers, while health officials have launched fumigation campaigns to control malaria and other waterborne diseases in relief camps and submerged areas.
A flood wave of 900,000 cusecs is expected to enter Sindh between September 6 and 7, raising concerns of large-scale devastation downstream.
