Lahore: Continuous heavy rainfall and India’s sudden release of massive water flows into rivers have triggered severe flooding across Punjab, forcing the government to deploy the army in six districts, including Lahore, Kasur, Sialkot, Faisalabad, Narowal and Okara.
The Punjab government confirmed urgent deployment of troops after requests from district administrations. Local rescue agencies, police, and civil defence teams are already on the ground, but rising river levels have created a high-risk situation.
Army Aviation support and additional resources will also be made available if needed.
Officials said the flood situation is being monitored round-the-clock, with rescue camps, food supplies and medical stocks prepared to minimize loss of life and property.
Sialkot experienced 405mm of rainfall in just 24 hours, the heaviest in over a decade, submerging homes, schools, and public buildings. The flood wave in Nullah Dek swept away Hanjli Bridge, cutting off dozens of villages.
Rescue teams evacuated more than 55 stranded residents in Narowal, while one woman was killed in a house collapse in Shakargarh.
According to the Irrigation Department, water flow in major rivers has surged beyond safe levels:
Chenab River (Head Marala): 900,000+ cusecs, crossing the extremely dangerous level.
Chenab River (Khanki): 657,511 cusecs, worsening flood conditions.
Ravi River (Jassar): 226,240 cusecs, with flood risk in Shahdara and Motorway-2 areas.
Sutlej River (Ganda Singh Wala): 245,236 cusecs, expected to rise to 280,000 cusecs within 12 hours.
Commissioner Gujranwala Division Naveed Haider Shirazi warned that Chenab may burst its banks if flows reach 1.5 million cusecs, though relief camps and evacuation measures are in place.
Moreover, thousands of acres of crops, houses, and schools in Bahawalpur, Bahawalnagar, Vehari, Pakpattan and Hafizabad have already been damaged. More than 174,000 people have been shifted to safer locations, with six relief camps set up in flood-prone areas.
NDMA Chairman Lt Gen Inam Haider stressed that climate change is intensifying the frequency and severity of floods in Pakistan, warning that impacts could worsen by 22% next year.
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif directed authorities to accelerate rescue operations, ensuring immediate food, shelter, and medical support to displaced families.
