The Provincial Disaster Management Authority (PDMA) has warned that the water flow of the Chenab River is continuously increasing at the Qadirabad headworks and has reached 996,000 cusecs against its capacity of 800,000 cusecs.

According to the DG PDMA, there is a risk of a breach on the left bank due to the rising water pressure. If the headworks are breached, areas in Hafizabad and Chiniot will be affected, he added.

The PDMA further stated that instructions have been issued to deputy commissioners to evacuate residents, and teams from the district administration and irrigation department are present on the spot.

Efforts were being made to reinforce and strengthen the embankment, the PDMA added.

Meanwhile, the flood situation in the River Ravi remained critical on Thursday, with the water flow at Shahdara surpassing 190,000 cusecs.

The continuous rise in water levels in rivers in various parts of Punjab has increased the risk of flooding.

According to sources, district administration and rescue teams have been assessing the situation.

The Lahore Commissioner stated that a flow of 200,000 cusecs is expected to pass today.

In Kasur, the water flow has reached 263,000 cusecs, submerging nearby villages and forcing authorities to evacuate residents to safer areas.

At Head Balloki, the River Ravi has reached a high level, while in Shakargarh, several villages have been submerged due to the breach of a protective embankment at Bhiku Chak.

The sources further said that sirens have been sounded to warn citizens, adding that more than 500 families have been relocated to safer areas.

Meanwhile, the water level in the Sutlej River has also started rising at Lodhran.

The flood situation near Chiniot has worsened to a dangerous level, prompting authorities to launch efforts to protect the historic bridge in the city. The administration has completed preparations for a potential embankment breach.

More than 10 lakh cusecs of water are passing through Head Khanki, while water has entered the residential areas of Wazirabad.

In addition, standing crops in Mandi Bahauddin and Gujranwala have been submerged in floodwater. All civil institutions, including the Pakistan Army, are on high alert.