Water levels in Punjab’s major rivers have surged to their highest in decades, with the Ravi River at Lahore’s Shahdara point swelling to 220,000 cusecs — the largest flow recorded since 1988.
According to Punjab Provincial Disaster Management Authority (PDMA) Director General Irfan Ali Kathia, the surge at Shahdara was the most severe since 1988. He confirmed that floodwaters reached nine locations in the city, but swift rescue operations ensured there were no fatalities. The Flood Forecasting Department (FFD) reported rainfall across Lahore, with Nisar Town recording the highest at 25mm, followed by 11mm in Johar Town.
لاہور شہر کے مختلف علاقوں میں بارش۔ سب سے زیادہ نشتر ٹاون 25 اور جوہر ٹاون 11 ملی میٹر ریکارڈ۔
— FFDLahore (@ffdlhr) August 29, 2025
Moroever, evacuations were carried out in Theme Park, Mohlanwal, Mureed Wala, Farukh Abad, Shafiq Abad, Afghan Colony, New Meter City, and Chuhng. In Pak View Housing, residents were moved before four blocks were inundated. Relief operations are also underway in Talat Park and Babu Sabu.
The government has set up relief camps to shelter displaced families. Around 70 people are currently housed at Lachi Wali School, while others are being accommodated at the Chuhng Thokar relief camp.
Although water levels remain dangerously high in parts of the Ravi, Sutlej, and Chenab rivers, officials say flows at most major headworks are currently stable and under control.
Multan prepares as flood looms
The River Chenab has submerged hundreds of acres of fertile land in Shujaabad, with the irrigation department warning of an extreme-level flood risk within the next 24 to 36 hours. Fifteen villages along the riverbank are expected to be affected.
As the floodwaters head towards Multan, police have deployed 564 personnel across Alpa, Cantt, Qutabpur, DHA, Shujaabad, Jalalpur Pirwala, and Saddar to ensure civilian safety. The district administration has also launched emergency protective measures.
Multan Deputy Commissioner Waseem Hamed said a controlled breach at Head Muhammad Wala point has been planned to reduce pressure on urban areas. He added that 60% of the population in vulnerable areas has already been evacuated, with rescue efforts ongoing.
Read: Lahore holds off Ravi surge
According to the PDMA, Marala point currently faces a medium-level flood, with inflows at 191,000 and outflows at 185,000 cusecs. At Khanki point, a high-level flood is anticipated, with flows projected at 996,000 cusecs.
The surge has already inundated more than 50 villages at Sambrial, where eight people have drowned. Meanwhile, residents fear the collapse of weakened protective embankments in Rangpur, Muradabad, Bhattian Wala Basti, Thatta Sialan, and Sanki, where cracks have appeared.
Ravi River and Sutlej River
The Ravi River’s surging waters have triggered flooding across Lahore’s Shahdara area, where several housing societies were submerged under nearly four feet of water, forcing residents to flee their homes.
According to the Punjab Irrigation Department, the Ravi at Jassar was flowing at 85,980 cusecs, while at Shahdara the water flow was recorded at 201,400 cusecs, with levels now gradually falling. At the Ravi siphon, flows stood at 202,428 cusecs, also showing a downward trend. In contrast, inflows at Balloki headworks rose to 151,560 cusecs, while Sidhnai remained stable at 25,478 cusecs.
The Ravi River’s flow has fluctuated between 211,330 and 219,760 cusecs in recent days, prompting the Punjab government to intensify relief efforts and restrict civilian access to riverbanks. Announcements have been made in mosques around Shahdara, warning residents in low-lying areas to evacuate. In Shakargarh, three people lost their lives after floodwaters submerged hundreds of acres of crops for several hours.
The Sutlej River at Ganda Singh Wala point has reached high-level flood, with inflows recorded at 261,000 cusecs.
Read more: 669 boats race against rising tide
In Vehari, the protective embankments of Lakha Suldira and Jatira gave way, allowing floodwaters to enter Lakha Suldira and Moza Jatira. The breach of the Murad Wala embankment has further inundated Kaliya Shah, Moza Dhool, Moza Siphon, Jhok Gamu, Jhok Fazil, and Veersi Wahan, causing severe damage in the area.
Flood Relief effort persists
According to the PDMA, about 1,779 villages are submerged across Punjab leading to at least 20 deaths and causing evacuations of thousands of people. Irfan Ali Kathia warned that with the floods heading towards Sindh, the death toll could rise. Kathia has repeatedly stressed that Punjab stay on high alert until the water passes to Sindh.
The Flood Plan Act has now been invoked, according to which all illegal constructions along the riverbeds and floodplains must be removed. Residents dwelling in those areas have been ordered to evacuate immediately.
Flood Plan Act imposes strict controls on building within floodplains to curb flooding and safeguard water resources. It prohibits any construction in designated floodplain areas without prior approval from a Canal Officer
The most affected districts include Gujra, Gujranwala, Mandi Bahauddin, Hafizabad, Narowal, Sheikhpura, Nankana Sahib, Kasur, Okara, and Pakpattan. From the Kala Shedian area of Mandi Bahauddin, 816 people were rescued, and 625 people from Pindi Bhattian Tehsil of Hafizabad, in the last 24 hours.
The Chief Minister of Punjab Maryam Nawaz has instructed all ministers to be present in the relevant districts and given instructions to members of the assembly to participate in the relief effort.
In the last 24 hours, rescue teams have safely evacuated more than 20,000 individuals. About 9,646 people were transported by rescue teams, involving 729 boats and 2,897 rescuers. From the flooded villages, 2,392 cattle have been shifted to safer pastures.
Also read: CM orders flood prevention plans
NDMA warns of impending rain
NDMA has warned of widespread rainfall across the country from August 29 to 31, with moderate to heavy showers accompanied by thunderstorms in several regions.
In Punjab, heavy rain is expected in the upper and northeastern districts, including Islamabad, Rawalpindi, Murree, Galliyat, Attock, Chakwal, Jhelum, Mianwali, Hafizabad, Sargodha, Faisalabad, Sialkot, Narowal, Okara, Lahore, Gujranwala, Gujrat, Multan, Bahawalpur, Bahawalnagar, Rahim Yar Khan and Dera Ghazi Khan.
Parts of Balochistan, including Ziarat, Kalat, Musakhel, Khuzdar, Awaran, Barkhan, Sibbi, Jaffarabad and Dera Bugti, are also likely to receive showers.
Sindh is forecasted to have isolated rainfall and thunderstorms in Sukkur, Larkana, Jacobabad, Khairpur, Karachi, Hyderabad, Tharparkar, Thatta, Badin and Mirpur Khas.
In Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Gilgit-Baltistan and Azad Jammu and Kashmir, rain is expected in Chitral, Kohistan, Mansehra, Buner, Peshawar, Swabi, Swat, Waziristan, Astore, Skardu, Hunza, Shighar, Bagh, Neelum Valley and Muzaffarabad.
