LAHORE: After dewatering operations at various low-lying rural and semi-urban localities of Sheikhupura district, the water levels in all stormwater nullahs has considerably decreased placing the catchment areas in safe category, however, any further heavy spells can cause flooding in the the drains of the Sheikhupura district.

“The situation is calm now, as the flows in all nullahs have come down, reaching to their design capacity. It happened due to reduction in the rains after the heaviest spells in July’s last week with some nullahs flowing under the design capacity level,” commented a senior irrigation official while talking toDawnon Thursday. He, however, warned that people should now pray for less rains in the Ferozewala and Muridke tehsils.

According to him, the Nullah Deg’s maximum design capacity is 19,351 cusecs, whereas it has now come to 17,000 cusecs. The Nikki stormwater drain’s maximum capacity is 7,632 cusecs, whereas it has also come down to around 7,630 cusecs. Nullah Bhed, which played havoc in Ferozewala tehsil, is flowing with 1,700 cusecs, whereas its design capacity is 1,777 cusecs. The design capacity of Laila Nullah, Sheikhupura, Mangoki, Gujranwala and Deg Diversion Channel outfall (UCC) is 300, 628, 1685, 700 and 35,200 cusecs respectively, whereas the current flows there are now below their capacity, he maintained.

On the other hand, the dewatering operations in various flood-affected low-lying areas is still underway under the supervision of the divisional and district administrations.

Officials warn more rain can still cause flooding in various parts of the district

The Lahore commissioner also paid a visit to the area and checked the pace of operation and relief activities in various parts, including Pathan Colony. During the visit, officials briefed him about the ongoing activities, stating that the passages leading to the Pathan Colony and other areas had been restored with dewatering operations, which was ongoing on the other side of the embankment. The commissioner sought completion of the work within two to three days.

Meanwhile, the flood forecasting division of the Pakistan Meteorological Department says that the River Indus at Kalabagh and Chashma is flowing at a low flood level downstream, whereas all other major rivers, including Chenab, Ravi and Jhelum are currently in their normal flows.

Discussing the country’s major dams and reservoirs, the report revealed that Tarbela Dam was just four feet away from its maximum storage capacity of 1,550 feet. On Thursday, the live storage in the dam was recorded as 5.350 MAF.

Mangla’s present level is 1,203.25 feet, while its maximum conservation level is 1,242 feet. The live storage recorded on Thursday was 4.444 MAF. Chashma lake’s present level is 648.50 feet, whereas its maximum conservation level is now 649 feet with live storage of 0.285 MAF on Thursday.

Published in Dawn, August 7th, 2026