LAHORE: Director General of the Provincial Disaster Management Authority (PDMA), Irfan Ali Kathia, has warned that the flood threat in Punjab is far from over, as several cities continue to face dangerously high water levels. Water pressure at Shahdara remains intense and is expected to persist for another four to six hours.
Although floodwater has entered some housing societies, no loss of life has been reported, and district administrations remain fully mobilised. Kathia called 26 August the most challenging day for Punjab when the Ravi River’s flow surged past 550,000 cusecs at Chiniot Bridge. He stressed that all water passage routes must be kept clear and emphasised the urgent need for long-term measures to tackle climate change. Officials confirmed that the Ravi River is experiencing critical levels, with 121,000 cusecs at Jasar where water enters from India, 190,000 cusecs at Shahdara near Lahore, 94,000 cusecs at Balloki against a capacity of 380,000 cusecs, and 9,000 cusecs at Sadhanai Headworks against a capacity of 150,000 cusecs. All three major rivers—Ravi, Chenab, and Sutlej—are in high flood, affecting over one million people, submerging hundreds of villages, and destroying crops across thousands of acres.
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, warmly received by Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz, visited Narowal and Kartarpur to review the situation and express solidarity with affected communities, including the Sikh population. NDMA and PDMA briefed both leaders on rescue and relief operations.
The Prime Minister announced the construction of small dams in northern areas and expansion of existing water conservation infrastructure to mitigate future disasters. Both leaders praised the dedication of rescue teams and administrative staff. Chairing a review meeting, CM Maryam commended PDMA, Rescue 1122, district officials, and ministers for their proactive role in relief operations. She directed immediate drainage of water from Kartarpur Gurdwara, rehabilitation of damaged roads, and safe evacuation of women, children, and the elderly. Emergency hospitals, essential medicines, and snake-bite vaccines are being dispatched, while veterinary teams provide fodder and livestock vaccinations. Narowal, one of the worst-hit districts, saw timely evacuations that minimised casualties despite record-breaking rainfall and spillway releases from India.
The CM highlighted the effective early warning system and swift drainage operations to manage urban flooding. She also inspected Shahdara by boat and reiterated the need to strengthen infrastructure, improve dams, expand water storage capacity, and clear waterways of encroachments. She thanked rescue agencies and the armed forces, calling for unity beyond politics to save lives and praised “Team Punjab” for coordinated field efforts.
Punjab Information Minister Azma Bokhari claimed on Thursday that there is no flood-affected area in the province where rescue teams or relief efforts have not reached.
Speaking on Geo News programme “Aaj Shahzeb Khanzada Kay Sath”, she confirmed that Shahdara is currently facing a very high-level flood, while reports indicate that between 17 and 20 deaths have occurred due to the disaster.
Bukhari added that the provincial government has initiated work on 80 dams across Punjab as part of its long-term measures to manage future flood risks.
Federal Minister for Communications Abdul Aleem Khan also visited Shahdara and welcomed offers of assistance from Sindh and Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa. Meanwhile, the Pakistan Meteorological Department has forecast another spell of heavy rainfall from 29 August to 2 September across AJK, GB, KP, Punjab, Islamabad, Sindh, and Balochistan. The warning includes areas such as Neelum Valley, Swat, Mansehra, Rawalpindi, Lahore, Gujranwala, Sialkot, and Multan. Rescue and relief operations continue in full swing, with more than 48,000 people evacuated from low-lying districts. Over 3,000 were rescued from directly flooded zones, and another 45,000 relocated from at-risk settlements. A total of 669 boats and 2,861 rescuers are operating across 30 districts. In the past 24 hours alone, 816 people were rescued in Kala Shadian (Mandi Bahauddin), 625 in Pindi Bhattian (Hafizabad), and 1,553 in Nankana Sahib, along with 2,392 livestock.
In line with CM Maryam’s directives, provincial ministers have been assigned to supervise relief work across divisions. For example, Finance Minister Mujtaba Shuja-ur-Rehman oversees Lahore and Sheikhupura; Housing Minister Bilal Yasin, Nankana Sahib and Kasur; and Health Minister Khawaja Imran Nazir, Faisalabad. Additional ministers are deployed to Gujrat, Bahawalpur, Sahiwal, Gujranwala, Sargodha, Multan, Mandi Bahauddin, and Hafizabad. Health Minister Nazir has already visited Jhang for monitoring.
A high alert is in place in Multan and Muzaffargarh, where more than 750,000 cusecs are expected to pass through the Chenab on Friday night. Officials have warned that 138 villages could be affected, putting 300,000 people at risk. So far, 45,000 people have been relocated, and 38 relief camps established. Irrigation officials said the next 24 to 36 hours are critical, as water from Marala and Khanki may merge in the Chenab and Ravi rivers at Khanewal, increasing the threat. Authorities are preparing for possible breaches of embankments to divert water and protect Multan city and key installations. Emergency helipads are being prepared, and explosives may be used for controlled breaches if needed.
In Muzaffargarh, DC Usman Tahir Jappa confirmed that a historic flood will hit by 30 August, with riverboats suspended and mass evacuations under way. In south Punjab, Additional Chief Secretary Fuad Hashim Rabbani reviewed relief efforts in Hasilpur, where 54,000 cusecs flow through the Sutlej. Over 1,400 people have been moved, and hospitals are on alert with snake-bite medication available. In Hafizabad, Rescue 1122’s quick action saved thousands. Seven flood relief sectors and 12 boat points were set up, safely evacuating 1,185 people and 840 livestock. In tehsil Phalia, Mandi Bahauddin, floodwaters from the Chenab have submerged villages like Qaderabad, Jago, Randiali, and Kala Shadian. The army and local authorities are jointly handling evacuations, with six relief and medical camps, 10 boat points, and three mobile clinics deployed.
In Vehari, the Sutlej continues to rise, submerging dozens of villages and cutting access to several areas. Water discharge is 54,756 cusecs at Head Islam and 46,435 at Mailsi Siphon. Flooded villages include Lakhha Saldira, Jatirah, Noon, and Mehru Baloch, with others fully underwater. Defence Minister Khawaja Asif, during a visit to Sialkot, blamed urban flooding on encroachments along storm drains and urged immediate removal.
He pointed to reverse water flow into residential areas and warned that the situation may worsen with more rain expected. Over 6,900 people have been rescued in Sialkot alone, where flooding followed 512mm of rainfall. Five casualties have been confirmed. The CM suspended WASA Sialkot MD over negligence. The Sialkot airport remains closed until 10pm Friday after floodwaters breached the boundary wall, though all major infrastructure remains safe. Over 1,575 police officials are supporting rescue operations in 230 localities, with 3,295 people and 557 livestock saved.
In Dera Ghazi Khan and Taunsa Sharif, Indus River flooding has left thousands stranded for more than six weeks, with large stretches of farmland still under water. Flow exceeded 500,000 cusecs, wiping out crops like cotton, rice, sesame, and maize. Prolonged flooding has left land uncultivable and fodder destroyed, leaving livestock starving. Around 7,000 to 10,000 people are directly affected, many living in tents or under the open sky. Access to food and clean water is limited; snakebites and disease outbreaks are reported, with no antivenom available locally. Private boats are the only link to medical help or supplies.
PPP Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari warned that the new monsoon spell could worsen the disaster. Expressing grief, he urged unity and called for future plans to address climate change. Sindh Information Minister Sharjeel Memon assured citizens that all flood preparedness measures are in place, adding that Sindh is ready to assist Punjab. Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa CM Ali Amin Gandapur expressed solidarity with flood-hit areas, confirming Rs6.5 billion in relief funds already released, with another Rs5 billion to follow. Since 15 August, KP has recorded 406 deaths, 245 injuries, 664 homes destroyed, and thousands of roads and shops damaged across multiple districts.
