LAHORE: Closure of culverts, ill-planned infrastructure development etc were among the factors that caused devastation in recent flooding during the rains in various parts of Lahore and Gujranwala divisions during the last week of July.

This was revealed in an internal report shared recently by the Punjab Irrigation Department with the top authorities.

It states that the existing drainage network comprises man-made-cum-natural drains that have been serving the purpose of storm-water drainage for several decades. Over time, the report claims, these drains were widened and strengthened with properly constructed banks on both sides to enhance their discharge-carrying capacity. It mentions that the heavy and widespread monsoon rainfall from July 25 till Aug 1 caused massive inundation over an area of nearly 2,729 sq km, including 1,449 sq km between July 25 to 27 alone.

Gujranwala irrigation zone/division, which covers some areas of Sheikhupura district (Lahore division) and various districts of Gujranwala division recorded an unprecedented average monsoon rainfall of 579mm, compared with its average monsoon rainfall of 240 mm. The worst-hit areas included parts of Sheikhupura (Ferozwala and Muridke tehsils), Sialkot, Narowal, Zafarwal, Sambrial, Daska and Gujranwala.

“In this episode, natural nullahs, canals and drainage infrastructure overtopped at numerous spots, leaving behind massive destruction,” reads the report. It reveals that a similar level of destruction had been witnessed in the year 2014 due to torrential rainfall of 456mm at isolated places. The report explains that heavy rainfall generated flood flows that exceeded the design capacities of several nullahs and drains, causing widespread urban and rural flooding, which ultimately falls into the Dek Diversion Channel.

Irrigation dept report highlights reasons for flood at 2,729 sq km from July 25 till Aug 1; Sheikhupura DC says locals made unauthorised cuts to divert rainwater into overflowing drains

“Overtopping and breaches occurred at several locations along the nullahs and drainage network, causing inundation of adjoining areas. Dek Diversion Channel received a peak discharge of 50,350 cusecs against its design discharge of 35,200 cusecs,” the report states.

It mentions that on July 25, 373.08 sq km area of Narowal was inundated by rains, followed by 794.13 sq km of Sheikhpura, 11.56 sq km of Lahore and 270.16 sq km of Gujranwala. On July 31 and Aug 1, Narowal’s 276 sq km area, Sheikhupura’s 526 sq km, Lahore’s 120 sq km and Gujranwala’s 328 sq km area were inundated due to rains and overflowing of the storm water drains.

The total area inundated during these days consisted of nearly 2,729 sq km in the aforementioned districts.

The report states that several drains discharge into the Dek Diversion Channel through Dek Nullah, which ultimately spills into the River Ravi.

“Drainage system is generally designed with rule of thumb criteria to evacuate the excess rainwater within 5-7 days,” the report reads, adding that sheet flow caused overtopping of natural nullahs, canal and surface drainage infrastructure from a number of reaches.

It further reveals that 99 drains overtopped at 131 vulnerable reaches, causing breaches and unauthorised cuts. The Dek Diversion Channel had an average discharge of 35,000 cusecs for 12 consecutive days, safely routing approximately 0.835 million acre-feet (MAF) of floodwater into the River Ravi.

Discussing the departmental efforts in such situations, the report states that MR Link, UCC and BRBD Link canals were immediately shutdown from their heads owing to severe damages and to absorb spilled water. MR Link, UCC and BRBD Link canals functioned as drains, discharging approximately 6,000 cusecs of floodwater.

The department (irrigation) set up flood camps and deployed regular and work-charged establishment as per approved flood-fighting plans besides engaging a pool of 76 earth-moving machinery at critical hotspots for repair, plugging breach sites and strictly ensuring watch and ward of control structures.

It mentions that since the massive inundation severely damaged the irrigation infrastructure, a comprehensive study would be required to pinpoint the necessary interventions to manage flood flows generated by nullahs and drainage network – an area unattended since the distant past. The other long-time measures also include conversion of existing drainage systems into seepage-cum-storm water drains. While discussing the lesson learnt and findings, the report accused the local inhabitants for making unauthorised cuts at several locations along various drains to facilitate the drainage of inundated rainwater into the departmental drainage network, which ultimately outfalls into Dek Nullah.

It also mentions that the ill-planned infrastructure development along the nullahs and drains obstructed natural waterways. During the British colonial period, hundreds of culverts were constructed beneath railway lines and roads to facilitate the natural drainage of rainwater. But over time, urban expansion and rising populations compelled them to seal these culverts.

When contacted, Sheikhupura Deputy Commissioner Rana Adeel Tassawur endorsed the report, saying it is true that locals made unauthorised cuts to divert rainwater into the drains that were already flowing more than their capacity, leading to inundating of vast rural and semi-urban areas in Ferozewala and Muridke tehsils of Sheikhupura district.

“Ill-planned urban infrastructure development along the nullahs or on their way/route will naturally cause devastation as happened during recent rains,” the DC said, terming closure of decades-old culverts and those built under the motorways for passage of the pedestrians or rural traffic by the locals, including growers is also another cause behind delayed drainage of the accumulated rainwater.

“I know how we hardly managed to open these culverts (especially under motorways and the railway bridge) forcibly.”

According to him, he had proposed to the government to construct bund (embankments) to save the low-lying areas, especially Pathan Colony and some others in Ferozwala tehsil. He revealed that due to closure of the culverts, the floodwater had almost reached the level of Lahore-Sialkot motorway at some locations.

To a question, Mr Tassawur said he had also forwarded the list of worst affected areas (mauzas having 50pc or more land inundation) to the Board of Revenue (BoR) for declaring of calamity-hit areas.

“We have also recommended compensation for the affectees under 2025 compensation policy,” he said, adding that it would require a detailed survey that would be conducted after having received a nod from the government.

Published in Dawn, August 17th, 2026