Authorities remained on high alert as widespread flooding has been reported across Punjab after India released water into the Ravi, Chenab, and Sutlej rivers, submerging settlements and agricultural lands in Pakistan.

According to reports, floodwaters in Sheikhupura’s Sharaqpur have reached dangerously close to populated areas, while two protective embankments along the River Chenab were deliberately breached near Qadirpur Headworks to divert the pressure and save key structures.

High-level flooding in the Chenab has devastated several villages and crops across Gujranwala Division. At Head Khanki, water flow has crossed 1 million cusecs, significantly exceeding the designed capacity of 800,000 cusecs, raising concerns about potential damage to the hydraulic infrastructure.

The National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) has warned of “very high flood levels” at Head Khanki and Qadirabad, and “high flood” at Head Marala. Six districts have formally requested Pakistan Army’s assistance in relief and rescue operations.

Heavy monsoon rains have also caused the Ravi, Chenab, and Sutlej rivers to swell beyond capacity. In Narowal district, flooding from the River Ravi has caused large-scale destruction. In Shakargarh, waters entered the Kartarpur Corridor complex, partially submerging the Gurdwara Darbar Sahib, where staff members were also trapped before being rescued.

As floodwaters continue to rise, threatening more towns and farmland across central Punjab.

Punjab calls the Army to assist in relief efforts

The Punjab government had called in the army to assist civil administration in the rescue and relief operations in the flood-affected areas of the province.

The release of water into rivers by India and heavy rains have caused severe flooding in various areas of Punjab, forcing the government to take emergency measures to address the situation.

The Provincial Disaster Management Authority (PDMA) said that India had opened all the gates of its Thein Dam on the Ravi River.

Under the plan, the army will be deployed in seven districts, including Lahore, Okara, Kasur, Sialkot, Faisalabad, Sargodha, and Narowal, to deal with the flood situation.

According to the Punjab Home Department, the district administration, Rescue 1122, Civil Defence and Police are already active in the affected areas, engaged in rescue and relief efforts.

The Punjab Home Department has written a letter to the Federal Ministry of Interior for the deployment of the army, under which the deployment of the army will be implemented.

The letter outlines that the military’s involvement is necessary to assist the civil administration in handling the flood situation caused by India’s water aggression.

The number of military personnel to be deployed will be determined after consultation with the district administration.

The Army Aviation and other resources will also be made available in the flood-affected areas.

India opens all gates of Thein Dam on Ravi River

India has opened all gates of the Thein Dam on the Ravi River, leading to a potential flow of water reaching up to 210,000 cusecs into Pakistan.

According to a spokesperson for the Punjab Disaster Management Authority (PDMA), water flow at Kot Nainan is increasing.

In the next 48 hours, a high-level flood is expected to pass through Jassar Shahdara and Head Balloki.

Deputy commissioners of Lahore, Gujranwala, Multan, Sahiwal, Faisalabad, and other relevant districts have been put on high alert.

Flood alert on the Ravi River

The River Ravi is in high flood at Jassar, with 142,000 cusecs of water entering the river. Meanwhile, at Shahdara, the water flow is 56,000 cusecs, with a lower-level flood.

Water coming from India has entered Pakistan through Head Marala, while the floodwater has reached Head Khanki, causing water to enter several villages located on the banks of the river.

Due to heavy monsoon rains across Punjab, the water level in the rivers is continuously rising.

The Ravi River is in a very high flood at many places, forcing authorities to shift residents of low-lying areas to safer locations.

A large-scale evacuation of people living along the riverbanks is underway in Pakpattan following a fresh high-level flood alert in the Sutlej River.

The district administration in Hafizabad has set up 6 flood relief centres and 123 boating points after moderate flooding at the Qadirabad Barrage. Water flow in the river is increasing rapidly.

A flood warning has also been issued for Head Baloki, Nankana Sahab, and Kot Momin district of Sargodha.

The floodwater has destroyed crops on thousands of acres in these areas, while large-scale evacuation has also been ordered.

Rangers lead rescue operations in border areas

Meanwhile, Pakistan Rangers are also actively engaged in rescue operations in the flood-affected regions of Punjab.

As part of relief work in the areas around Ganda Singh Wala, Rangers personnel successfully evacuated 6,890 people and 1,024 livestock stranded by rising floodwaters to safer locations.

Due to flooding in the Sutlej River, 30 villages in the border region have been submerged.

Rangers personnel are using boats to assist rescue teams in navigating remote villages, ensuring access to communities cut off by floodwaters.

In addition to rescue efforts, Rangers personnel are supporting the district administration in road clearance and infrastructure repair to restore access and mobility.