A severe flood crisis is unfolding in south Punjab as the Chenab River swelled to critical levels on Saturday after India released water, exacerbating the already dire situation in the region. The Flood Forecasting Division (FFD) has reported that the Sutlej River is also at a high-level flood, with a massive flow of 353,825 cusecs recorded at Head Ganda Singh Wala, posing a significant threat to surrounding areas.
The Ravi River is similarly experiencing high floods, with a flow of 157,000 cusecs at Head Balloki. In response to the escalating threat, district administrations have launched urgent efforts to protect key flood defenses, including the Doaba and Sher Shah Flood Bunds, and are conducting rescue operations to evacuate citizens from the path of the rising waters. The infrastructural damage is already significant, with a track of the Muzaffargarh-Dera Ghazi Khan National Highway completely submerged.
The human cost of the disaster is becoming increasingly clear, with numerous villages in Muzaffargarh, Jhang, and Khanewal underwater. Concerns are rising over the adequacy of relief efforts; in Liaquat Pur’s relief camp in Noorwala, victims from the Chenab River are reporting critical shortages of essential supplies, including animal fodder, medicine, and tents. Meanwhile, downstream barrages are monitoring huge inflows, with Guddu Barrage recording 360,976 cusecs, signaling that the flood threat will continue to move southward.
