The National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) has issued a critical warning for Lahore and other parts of Punjab, citing a “very high to exceptionally high” flood threat. Continuous heavy monsoon rains combined with India’s recent release of water from two dams have swelled rivers, forcing authorities to seek army assistance in six districts, including Lahore, Kasur, and Sialkot.
Both Pakistan and India have experienced intense monsoon rainfall and widespread flooding in recent weeks. The additional water released from India’s dams threatens to further flood Punjab, home to half of Pakistan’s 240 million population and a crucial agricultural region often referred to as the country’s breadbasket.
Rivers, including the Ravi, Chenab, and Sutlej, have surged to dangerous levels. Breaches have occurred in Narowal, Sialkot, and Shakargarh, with Zafarwal witnessing part of the Hanjli Bridge collapse due to the pressure of rising floodwaters, cutting off access to dozens of villages.
ہنگامی اطلاع: دریائے چناب میں شدید سیلابی صورتحال
اپڈیٹ: 27 اگست 2025، صبح 1:11 بجے
دریائے چناب میں بہاؤ مسلسل بڑھ رہا ہے۔ ہیڈ مرالہ کے مقام پر بہاؤ 7.7 لاکھ کیوسک انتہائی خطرناک سیلابی سطح پر ہے۔خانکی کے مقام پر بہاؤ 4.5 لاکھ کیوسک تک شدید سیلابی صورتحال پر پہنچ گیا ہے۔ pic.twitter.com/XPPqadalrl
— NDMA PAKISTAN (@ndmapk) August 26, 2025The NDMA described the situation as “extreme” in its latest advisory. The Ravi River at Jassar currently carries 170,000 cubic feet per second (cusecs) and is expected to rise to 250,000 cusecs by morning—a volume that risks breaching embankments and flooding nearby communities. The Chenab at Marala may rise to 690,000 cusecs, while the Sutlej at Ganda Singh Wala holds 245,000 cusecs with more water on the way.
Rescue authorities are racing to prepare for the impact. The NDMA has urged vulnerable residents in low-lying areas to relocate to safety immediately, warning that delays could jeopardise lives. In Shahdara and along the Motorway-2 corridor, the rising Ravi River has prompted evacuation preparations. Officials also advise citizens to limit travel and stay in close contact with rescue teams.
An official emphasised, “The rivers are unforgiving right now,” noting the next 48 hours will be crucial in determining if protective measures hold or if evacuations must accelerate. India’s additional release of 200,000 cusecs into the Ravi and an expected 100,000 cusecs into the Chenab have escalated flood fears.
Army Mobilised for Rescue Operations
The provincial government has deployed the army to support civil authorities amid ongoing flooding in districts including Lahore, Kasur, Faisalabad, Narowal, Sialkot, and Okara. Local administrations requested military aid to safeguard lives and bolster overwhelmed rescue efforts.
Rescue 1122, civil defence, police, and local officials remain active but face stretched resources. The Punjab Home Department formally requested federal support for troop deployment in the affected areas.
ہنگامی اطلاع: دریائے چناب میں مرالہ پر شدید سیلابی صورتحال
اپڈیٹ: 27 اگست 2025، صبح 2 بجے
ہیڈ مرالہ کے مقام پر بہاؤ 9 لاکھ کیوسک سے تجاوز کر چکا ہے جو کہ انتہائی خطرناک سیلابی سطح ہے۔جبکہ ہیڈ مرالہ کی ڈیزائن گنجائش 11 لاکھ کیوسک ہے۔عوام حفاظتی اقدامات یقینی بنائیں۔ pic.twitter.com/WxgpTXd9pG
— NDMA PAKISTAN (@ndmapk) August 26, 2025Pakistan’s Provincial Disaster Management Authority (PDMA) confirmed that India has opened all gates of the Thein Dam on the Ravi River, escalating water flow into Pakistan. Satellite images reveal the dam is 97% full and poised to release large volumes. The release follows a previous warning about water discharge from the Madhopur Dam, located on the Ravi as well. Irfan Ali Kathia, a PDMA official, warned, “The flood situation is grave. The next 48 hours will be critical.”
Ongoing Emergency and Evacuation Efforts
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif directed authorities to evacuate over 174,000 residents from flood-affected districts along the Sutlej River. He directed the acceleration of rescue operations and the timely supply of food, medicine, and shelter.
Evacuations continue across villages near the Ravi, Sutlej, and Chenab rivers with the support of the army. Forecasts predict more heavy rainfall over Punjab and Kashmir in the coming 12 to 24 hours.
Deputy Commissioner Saba Asghar Ali reported sixteen villages at immediate risk near Pasrur. Relief camps have been established with necessary provisions. Punjab Irrigation Minister Kazim Raza Pirzada attributed the heavier rainfall to climate change, citing its impact on eastern rivers.
Since the monsoon’s start in late June, Pakistan’s flooding has claimed 802 lives, half occurring in August alone. Indian Kashmir has recorded 68 deaths this month. The Gilgit-Baltistan region is facing accelerated glacial melting, while Karachi has recently experienced partial flooding.
