Without prior notice, India released massive volumes of water into eastern rivers, triggering severe flooding across Pakistan on Tuesday.

The Sutlej, Ravi, and Chenab rivers rose to dangerous levels, inundating dozens of settlements and devastating crops spread over thousands of acres. Authorities have declared emergencies in multiple districts.

According to the Met Office and Punjab’s Provincial Disaster Management Authority (PDMA), the Sutlej is experiencing high flood levels at Ganda Singh Wala, while a medium flood has been recorded at Head Sulemanki.

Water levels in the Ravi are also surging rapidly, submerging more than 50 villages near Ganda Singh. Evacuation efforts are underway to shift residents to safer areas.

Protective dykes near Okara and Burewala collapsed under intense pressure, worsening the flooding. Reports of destruction are also emerging from Bahawalnagar, Minchinabad, Baba Farid Bridge, Bhukan Pattan, and Arifwala, where surging waters swept away standing crops.

Officials confirmed that India has opened all spillway gates of the Thein Dam on the Ravi, releasing around 210,000 cusecs of water into Pakistan at Kot Naina.

PDMA warned that within 24 hours, the flood surge at Kot Naina will intensify, with extremely high flood levels expected at Jassar, Shahdara, and Head Balloki.

At Jassar, the Ravi’s flow has already reached 90,000 cusecs, while Shahdara is recording 40,000 cusecs.

Several embankments in Chishtian and Ahmedpur East have breached, while Khairpur Daha Bridge has sustained severe damage.

The Chenab River is also swelling, with a flow of 110,000 cusecs recorded near Chiniot.

As floodwaters entered Head Marala, authorities issued alerts across border villages.

District administrations in Shakargarh, Ferozewala, and other low-lying areas have been placed on high alert.

PDMA has urged residents of vulnerable areas to immediately relocate to safer ground, directing local administrations to remain on full emergency footing to deal with any situation.

Nullah Dek bridge collapses

Authorities warned residents of Mirza Pur, Saib, Ludhar, Suhawa, Kalu Kalan, Sukhana Bajwa and Dalianwali to evacuate immediately as rising waters threatened their homes.

At Hanjli on Tafrawal Road, the old nullah Dek bridge collapsed under the pressure of floodwaters.

Meanwhile, water levels in the nullah Aik have also continued to rise, breaching embankments at several points.

A 100-foot-wide breach occurred at Kotli Marla, and another 30-foot gap opened at Badoke Cheema, cutting off road links between several villages.

The flood situation has left residents of Kotli Marla, Ghazi Chak, Kenchian Wali, Badoke Cheema and surrounding villages stranded and deeply distressed.

Floods take devastating toll in KP

Meanwhile, the floods have taken a devastating toll in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, where at least 406 people have been killed and 245 injured, according to a PDMA report.

The dead include 131 men, 167 women, and 108 children. Over 574 houses were destroyed and 2,136 were partially damaged, while 5,916 livestock perished.

Eighteen schools were completely demolished, and 306 sustained partial damage.

Flood-related incidents were reported in Swat, Lower Dir, Bajaur, Mardan, Battagram, Upper Kohistan, Abbottabad, Nowshera, Charsadda, Mohmand, Torghar, South and North Waziristan, Lakki Marwat, Tank, Kohat, Kurram, Haripur, and Upper Chitral.

Major power breakdown

The disaster also crippled Khyber Pakhtunkhwa’s power system. In Swat, Shangla, and Buner alone, 292 transformers and 49 feeders were damaged, leaving over 200,000 consumers without electricity.

PESCO reported financial losses exceeding Rs1.64 billion, with Swat suffering the heaviest damage worth Rs536 million. Despite restoration efforts, around 87,000 consumers remain without power.

Relief and evacuation operations are being carried out by PDMA Punjab, Rescue 1122 teams, and Pakistan Army engineers as authorities brace for further flooding in the next 24 hours.