LAHORE: The Provincial Disaster Management Authority (PDMA) on Friday issued a high level flood alert in the Indus and Sutlej rivers and warned of a deteriorating situation over the next 24 hours due to the release of water from the Indian reservoirs and heavy rainfall in upper parts of Punjab.

The alert was issued as the authority predicted the eighth spell of monsoon rains set in upper parts of the country from Aug 23 to 27, further increasing the volume of water in the river systems.

The PDMA specifically issued a high flood alert for the Sutlej River and its tributaries due to the release of water from India. There is a low flood situation at Tarbela in the Indus River while medium level flood at Taunsa. The water flow at Kalabagh and Chashma is normal while a medium flood situation has been reported at Ganda Singh in the Sutlej River. There is low-level flood at Sulemanki River. Water flow in Chenab, Jhelum and Ravi rivers is normal.

Tarbela Dam is 100pc full while Mangla Dam is 75pc. Among Indian dams, Bhakra is 80pc, Pong 87pc and Thein Dam is 85pc full.

Over 400 people, 200 livestock evacuated in Pakpattan; 70 villages submerged by floodwater in Kasur

Heavier rains in upper Punjab

The authority predicted torrential rains and cloud bursts in the Upper Punjab. This spell of monsoon is going to be stronger.

The new spell of the monsoon will begin from Aug 23 (today). There is a possibility of an increase in water flow of the rivers from until 27.

Rain is predicted for Rawalpindi, Murree, Galiyat, Attock, Chakwal, Jhelum, Mandi, Bahauddin, Gujarat, Gujranwala, Hafizabad, Wazirabad, Lahore, Kasur, Sheikhupura, Sialkot, Narowal, Mianwali, Khushab, Sargodha, Jhang, Nankana and Toba Tek Singh. Thunderstorms are also predicted in Dera Ghazi Khan, Bhakkar, Layyah, Multan, Bahawalpur, Bahawalnagar, Rajanpur and Rahim Yar Khan.

PDMA Director General Irfan Ali Kathia said the flow of water in the Sutlej River at Ganda Singhwala is 100,000 cusecs.

Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz directed the authorities to depute rescue teams in the affected areas immediately to cope up with the flood situation. She directed the administration and other relevant departments to carry out advance arrangements in the districts of Lahore, Rawalpindi, Multan, Bahawalpur, Dera Ghazi Khan, Sargodha, Gujrat and Gujranwala in view of possible heavy rains. She asked the commissioners and deputy commissioners to remain alert to deal with any untoward situation.

Maryam Nawaz directed the health authorities to set up Clinics on Wheels and field hospitals for the provision of timely treatment and care to the flood victims.

She sought provision of vaccination and medical treatment facilities for livestock in the flood-affected areas and prior information to the residents of the affected areas through SMS.

She asked the PDMA, administration and other relevant departments to make special arrangements in the areas adjacent to the rivers of Jhelum, Chenab, Ravi and Sutlej rivers and immediate evacuation of the population residing adjacent to the river and take pre-emptive measures for the timely relocation of livestock.

Situation in Sahiwal

Because of a medium-level flood in River Sutlej, over 400 villagers and 200 livestock have been evacuated from riverine settlements in district Pakpattan and adjoining areas near the Bahawalnagar boundary.

Sources added Rescue 1122 personnel conducted more than 1,000 boat trips over the past three days to relocate residents and deliver essential supplies.

While many villages remain partially occupied, the sources confirm that residents continue to move in and out of flood-affected zones, reluctant to fully abandon their ancestral homes. The water level at Gandha Singh downstream has surged from 73,000 to 111,510 cusecs.

Sahiwal Commissioner Dr Asif Tufail visited several villages in Okara and Pakpattan, traveling by rescue boats to meet residents at their doorsteps.

The PDMA had issued a warning that water levels may rise from 63,000 to 100,000 cusecs in the coming three days. Sources added relief operations were active at Pir Ghani, Malaykay Taru, Malik Bahawal, Kot Bakhsha, Noora Rath, Tibi Lal Baig, Arazi Baili Dilawar and Chak Momika.

Villages such as Amir Sohara, Siyalvi Abadis and Amir Alhoka are also encircled by rising waters. The Rescue 1122 is transporting fodder for stranded livestock.

Mursaleen of Rescue 1122, Pakpattan, says more than 100 rescuers/divers are at the site with all necessary equipment.

Commissioner Tufail noted that floodwaters from Gandha Singh are expected to reach Okara and Pakpattan within 48 to 72 hours, allowing time for taking precautionary measures. He assured that all SOPs at relief camps, including medical, livestock and food, are intact and would be activated as needed.

Damage to crops of maize, rice and wheat has been as they were submerged by water near Baba Farid Bridge and surrounding villages.

KASUR: About 70 villages and small hamlets have been submerged by floodwater while crops around the villages are inundated as the Sutlej swelled to medium flood from low level flood on Friday.

Water gauge at Ganda Singh was 20.30 against the mark of 18. The water discharge at Kikar post also crossed 100,000 cusecs from 70,000 cusecs.

The district administration said it was ready to evacuate the people from flooded villages after the breach in the river and the operation might start at night if the condition persisted or worsened.

DC Imran Ali visited some flood hit areas on Friday.

NAROWAL: The rescuers found the body of the man who had drowned in the drain.

District Emergency Officer Engineer Aurangzeb told Dawn that a phone call was received from village Negroota Ansari in the control room. According to the caller, a person had drowned while bathing in the Bayan drain. The man was identified as 30-year-old Mohammad Aqeel, a resident village Negrota Ansari, the father of four. The rescue team launched the operation in the rain drain, found his body and handed it over to his family.

(Shafiq Butt from Sahiwal, Afzal Ansari from Kasur and Abid Mehmood from Narowal also contributed to this report.)

Published in Dawn, August 23rd, 2025