LAHORE: Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz has ordered immediate evacuation of people living in low-lying areas and along riverbanks, as the province braces for another spell of heavy monsoon rains and potential large-scale flooding.
Punjab remains on high alert, with the Sutlej River already surging to a dangerous “high flood level” of 129,866 cusecs at Ganda Singh Wala over the weekend, forcing the evacuation of thousands.
In a statement from her office on Monday, CM Maryam directed authorities to use “all possible available resources” to ensure timely relocation of people and livestock from vulnerable areas to safe ground. She also instructed officials to arrange temporary shelters with food, medical care, and accommodation for displaced families, and to stockpile snakebite vaccines in flood-hit zones.
District administrations, Rescue 1122, and other departments in Kasur, Pakpattan, Taunsa Sharif, and other flood-prone areas were placed on high alert. Maryam ordered vigilant monitoring of the Sutlej and other rivers, stressing that every effort must be made to prevent loss of life.
Meanwhile, the Ministry of Climate Change warned of heavy rains in Gujranwala, Gujrat, and Lahore divisions over the next 48 hours, with a “high risk of both riverine and urban flooding.” Citizens were urged to remain alert and follow safety precautions.
The Punjab Provincial Disaster Management Authority (PDMA) confirmed that the Sutlej River had reached a high flood level, issuing an alert to district administrations across the province. The advisory called for enhanced preparedness, activation of flood monitoring systems, strengthening of embankments, pre-placement of heavy machinery, and the setting up of relief camps stocked with medicines, food, and essential supplies.
The Pakistan Meteorological Department (PMD) separately issued a flood warning for the Chenab and Ravi rivers. With moderate rainfall already underway in the upper catchments of eastern rivers, flows in the Chenab at Marala, Khanki, and Qadirabad — along with tributaries and nullahs — are expected to rise to high or very high flood levels in the next 48 hours.
The PMD further warned that flood intensity in the Ravi will depend on water releases from India’s Madhupur Barrage, but said heavy rainfall in the catchments could cause medium to high flood conditions regardless. It also cautioned that urban flooding may strike Lahore, Gujranwala, and Gujrat divisions due to persistent rainfall.
Pakistan’s Foreign Office confirmed earlier in the day that flood warnings from India had been received through diplomatic channels — rather than through the Indus Waters Commission as required under the Indus Waters Treaty — underscoring the gravity of the situation.
With Indian reservoirs on the Ravi and Sutlej already at danger levels and fresh monsoon torrents predicted, Punjab faces one of its most critical flood emergencies of the season.
