ISLAMABAD/LAHORE: India on Friday committed an act of water aggression against Azad Jammu and Kashmir by suddenly releasing water from its dams into the Jhelum River, which originates in Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IIOJK) and flows into AJK.
Earlier, India’s release of water from its dams into three eastern rivers — Ravi, Chenab and Sutlej — triggers widespread flooding across Punjab.
In a statement, the AJK State Disaster Management Authority (SDMA) said the torrent released by India entered Azad Kashmir at the Chakothi point along the Line of Control (LoC).
Following the Indian move, water flow in Jhelum River increased in Muzaffarabad, read the statement.
Flooding in Pakistan from water flowing downstream from India was made worse by New Delhi’s suspension of a river-sharing treaty and the collapse of the gates on an Indian barrage, Pakistani officials said on Friday.
The two neighbouring nations share rivers that originate in India and flow into Pakistan, regulated for more than six decades under the Indus Waters Treaty. That agreement was suspended by India this year, following the shooting of 26 people by militants in Indian-held Kashmir.
Planning Minister Ahsan Iqbal said that data on water flows which used to be shared by India under the treaty had not passed to Pakistan quickly enough, or in sufficient detail.
“We could have managed better if we had better information,” said Iqbal. “If the Indus Waters Treaty was in operation, we could have mitigated the impact.”
The middle section of Madhopur barrage, which spans the Ravi River in India, was washed away by surging water, video broadcast by Indian media on Thursday showed. Pakistani officials said that this damage unleashed an uncontrolled flow across the border, flooding some parts of Lahore on Friday.
An Indian government source denied there had been any deliberate attempt to flood Pakistan, while confirming that two gates of Madhopur barrage had broken.
When India put the 1960 treaty into abeyance, it stopped the sharing of information between water officials. Instead, warnings were sent this week through India’s embassy in Islamabad.
Iqbal, whose own constituency of Narowal, near the Indian border, was badly flooded, said that climate change had made the annual monsoon less predictable, making it more vital to share data.
“Climate change is not a bilateral issue,” said Iqbal. “It relates to humanity.” The authorities blew up part of the riverbank to siphon off some of the water into surrounding land on Friday, as it threatened to flood the nearby city of Jhang.
Pakistan evacuated more than one million people this week in the east of the country, away from the path of the three overflowing rivers that come from India.
This monsoon season so far, 820 people have died in Pakistan, according to the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA).
The Sutlej River floods continued to wreak havoc on Friday, washing away thousands of acres of crops and destroying homes across multiple villages. Several villages remained cut off as communication systems collapsed, while electricity poles in Qalai Shahu fell down, plunging dozens of villages into darkness. Locals were forced to migrate in the absence of food and relief supplies. The rising floodwaters engulfed Kotthi Fateh Muhammad, Rukan Pura, Daya Singh, and Chhabbar, leaving widespread destruction.
In Phoolnagar, a high flood situation developed in the Ravi River at Head Balloki, where water inflow surged to 156,750 cusecs against an outflow of 115,850 cusecs. Authorities remain on high alert as water levels continue to rise, threatening low-lying areas.
Rescue 1122, Pakistan Army, and police teams evacuated dozens of families to safer locations. Officials stressed that all precautionary measures are in place and urged citizens near riverbanks to cooperate with rescue operations. Continuous monitoring and updates from Head Balloki are being issued to ensure public safety.
Also, the Sutlej River experienced the largest flood in Pakistan’s history, with a record discharge of 345,366 cusecs at Ganda Singh Wala. The water level has reached 24 feet, inundating dozens of villages and destroying thousands of acres of crops. Rescue 1122, Pakistan Army, and the Kasur administration have evacuated over 8,600 people and 4,000 livestock, while relief camps have been set up. Hundreds of homes have been damaged, with dozens completely destroyed. Authorities warn the situation may worsen as India releases more water from the Hirakud dam, raising fears of further destruction and disease outbreaks.
Meanwhile, to protect key structures from the worsening Chenab flood, the district administration on Friday blew up a portion of the railway line embankment near Nankana village. The controlled breach was carried out with explosives to divert floodwaters and reduce pressure on Rivaz Bridge and Trimmu Headworks. DC Ali Akbar ordered the operation after consultations with Punjab PDMA, the relief commissioner, divisional authorities, and the Pakistan Army. Officials confirmed that more than 20 relief camps are operational across Jhang, Shorkot, Ahmedpur Sial, and Athara Hazari, providing food, water, and shelter to displaced families as precautionary measures intensify.
Rising floodwaters in the Sutlej River triggered a severe crisis in Vehari, forcing emergency measures across 113 riverine localities in Burewala, Vehari, and Mailsi tehsils. According to officials, 49,573 people have been affected, with 12,159 evacuated to safer areas and 1,792 rescued by boats. Over 3,200 livestock have also been saved. Floods have submerged more than 100 villages and damaged crops over 30,000 acres. The district administration has established 17 relief camps and 11 medical camps to provide food, shelter, and healthcare. Authorities urged residents of vulnerable areas to cooperate fully during relocation efforts.
A high alert was declared in Tandlianwala after a surge in water flow at Head Balloki raised the risk of Ravi River flooding. Authorities fear an inflow of 200,000 cusecs could inundate more than 20 villages across nine union councils. As a precaution, 11 villages have already been evacuated, while six relief camps and rescue posts have been established with tents, food, and essential supplies. Rescue 1122 has evacuated 44 people, including women and children, along with 38 animals. Over 100 personnel are engaged in relief efforts, led on-site by District Emergency Officer Engineer Ehtesham Wahla.
The raging floodwaters of the Chenab and Ravi rivers are advancing towards Multan and Muzaffargarh, expected to cross the Sher Shah Chenab Bridge late Saturday night or early Sunday. Officials warned of extremely high levels, with inflows at Chiniot reaching 842,500 cusecs and up to 800,000 cusecs likely to pass through Multan after merging at Trimmu Headworks.
Experts cautioned that the situation could worsen if Ravi and Chenab waters converge at Ahmedpur Sial, intensifying the downstream surge. Authorities are weighing contingency measures, including controlled breaches of dykes, to shield major population centres.
The National Flood Forecasting Division likened the current threat to the catastrophic 2014 floods, which inundated hundreds of villages and displaced over 275,000 people. Officials said Saturday and Sunday would be critical, warning that “no machinery can slow or stop” the incoming deluge.
Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz has directed full mobilisation for rescue and relief. Acting on her instructions, Commissioner Multan Amir Karim Khan inspected camps at Qasim Bela and Head Muhammadwala, where 84 relief centres have been set up across the division. More than 119,000 people have already been evacuated, while the target is 300,000.
Rescue efforts, supported by police and the Pakistan Army, are focused on safe evacuation and protection of lives and property.
National Highway Authority (NHA) Chairman Shehryar Sultan, accompanied by Commissioner Multan Division Aamir Karim Khan, on Friday visited the Head Muhammadwala breaching section to review flood preparations. He was informed that over 100,000 people have been shifted to safer areas, while 84 relief camps are fully functional with food, medicines, and medical care. ADCs and additional commissioners have been designated as focal persons to streamline coordination. The NHA chairman appreciated the administration’s efforts, noting all institutions were working diligently to protect lives.
Chairman Planning and Development Committee Syed Abdul Qadir Gilani expresses concern over the flood situation in Multan and Shujaabad areas. He wished people of Multan and especially his constituency NA-152 and appealed to the residents of the riverine areas to cooperate fully with the Multan district administration and Shujabad tehsil administration and to shift their families, valuables and livestock to safe places and relief camps in a timely manner so that losses can be avoided in this serious situation.
Separately, Field Marshal Asim Munir, Chief of Army Staff (COAS), visited flood-affected areas of Punjab on Friday, appreciating the coordinated efforts of troops and civil administration in rescue and relief operations. He reviewed the situation in Sialkot Sector, Shakargarh, Narowal, and Kartarpur, where he was briefed on the ongoing operations and preparations for the next spell of rains.
Interacting with the Sikh community, the Field Marsha assured that all religious sites impacted by floods — including Darbar Sahib Kartarpur — will be fully restored to their original condition on priority. He reaffirmed that protecting minorities and their places of worship is the responsibility of the state, pledging that Pakistan will leave “no stone unturned” in this regard.
The Sikh community warmly welcomed the Field Marshal and thanked the Army and civil administration for their support during the calamity. Asim Munir also undertook an aerial survey of Darbar Sahib Kartarpur, praised the proactive measures that minimised loss of life and property, and commended troops for their commitment and morale in relief operations.
Upon arrival, Field Marshal Munir was received by Corps Commander Gujranwala.
Also, Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz visited several flood-affected districts, including Wazirabad and Sialkot, to review rescue and relief operations and meet displaced families.
In Wazirabad, she visited a relief camp at Sohdra Primary School, consoled parents who lost children in the floods, praised local youth who saved lives, and personally served food to victims. She also reviewed medical facilities, ordered for immediate provision of dry fodder for livestock, and ordered treatment for an ailing flood victim.
Briefings revealed that over 61,000 people had been evacuated in Sohdra, with 25,000 livestock also shifted to safety. Police checkpoints and mobile health clinics are operational in 13 affected areas.
Later in Sambrial, Sialkot, the CM inspected relief operations, where officials confirmed that 20,000 people had been relocated and 6,860 rescued. She ordered for accelerated dewatering, food provision, and damage assessment. She assured flood victims that their losses of homes, crops, and livestock will be transparently assessed and fully compensated.
Appealing for public cooperation, she emphasised: “Protecting lives is our foremost priority.”
Meanwhile, on the direction of CM Maryam Nawaz, water drainage process of Kartarpur Gurdwara was completed in a few hours.
All parts of Kartarpur Janm Asthan were completely cleaned. The workers of ‘Suthra’ Punjab and other officials worked day and night to make every nook and cranny of the Gurdwara including Darshan Deore clean.
The Gurdwara will be opened for Sikh pilgrims in three to four days.
Separately, Federal Law Minister Azam Nazir Tarar and Punjab Transport Minister Bilal Akbar Khan, along with senior leaders, visited flood-hit areas of Hafizabad. They inspected relief camps in Pindi Bhattian, Jalalpur Bhattian and Tahli Goraia, assuring victims that federal and provincial governments will continue rescue, relief and rehabilitation efforts.
Also, Federal Minister for Overseas Pakistanis and Human Resource Development Chaudhry Salik Hussain on Friday visited the flood-affected areas of Gujrat to review the situation at ground level and ongoing relief operations.
Heavy flooding has inundated nearly 66 villages of Gujrat, plunging large swathes of the region into crisis. Stagnant floodwaters remain across all affected areas, crippling daily life and causing widespread destruction. Reportedly, among the worst-hit are more than 30 villages in Jalalpur Jattan, while nearly a dozen in Tanda and around 10 in Kunjah have also been submerged.
Meanwhile, hydrology assessments warn Guddu Barrage could face inflows of 500,000–550,000 cusecs by September 4, in addition to 250,000–300,000 cusecs from Tarbela and Kabul rivers, pushing the peak close to 750,000 cusecs — a level the Federal Flood Commission classifies as “very high flood”.
The Meteorological Department has forecast widespread rainfall in northern catchments between August 29 and September 1, raising fears of prolonged high flows. Officials caution that Sindh must prepare for a worst-case scenario of 800,000 cusecs, as barrages and embankments may come under extreme pressure.
Meanwhile, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif Friday received a telephone call from Iranian President Dr Masoud Pezeshkian, who conveyed his condolences and solidarity with the people of Pakistan over the devastation caused by ongoing floods in various parts of the country.
Expressing sympathy with the bereaved families who have lost loved ones and property in the calamity, President Pezeshkian assured that Iran stood by Pakistan in this difficult time and offered any assistance his country could extend to the flood-affected population.
The prime minister thanked President Pezeshkian for his thoughtful gesture and Iran’s expression of support, terming it a reflection of the deep fraternal ties between the two nations. He also requested that his warm regards and good wishes be conveyed to the Supreme Leader Ayatullah Ali Khamenei.
Meanwhile, the Sutlej River has seen a swift and concerning increase in its floodwaters, reaching an “extremely high-flood” level at Ganda Singh Wala.
On Friday, August 29, 2025, the water flow surged dramatically from 261,030 cusecs at noon to 385,569 cusecs by 8pm, marking a notable rise of about 47.7 percent within just eight hours. This abrupt increase has triggered urgent hydrological alerts from the Flood Forecasting Division of the Pakistan Meteorological Department (PMD), further exacerbating the already alarming floodwater situation for the communities residing along the river.
Sources claimed that India did not issue an alert to the Pakistani authorities as per the provisions of the 1961 Indus Waters Treaty regarding the latest abrupt surge in floodwater. Earlier last week, there was a critical failure to share updated information about the Sutlej River as well.
