GUJRAT: As the flood water enters homes, streets of Punjab, the districts authorities has announced a public holiday in the flood affected areas of the province on Wednesday.
Heavy inflows from India into the Sutlej and Chenab rivers have triggered a flood alert across Punjab. The National Disaster Management Authority’s (NDMA) National Emergency Operation Centre (NEOC) issued an urgent warning of extraordinary flooding in the Chenab, Ravi, and Sutlej rivers, urging immediate evacuation of residents from vulnerable areas.
According to NDMA Chairman Lt Gen Inam Haider, more than 190,000 people have been evacuated from flood-affected areas of Punjab as rising water levels continue to threaten lives and property.
Deputy Commissioner Gujrat Noor-ul-Ain Qureshi and Deputy Commissioner Sialkot Saba Asghar Ali visited Head Marala to oversee the flood situation.
However, 20 people stuck under Shahbazpur Bridge were successfully rescued, DC Qureshi added.
Mobile phone service has also been disrupted across Gujrat, with internet services also reported to be slow and unavailable in many areas.
It is pertinent to mention here that the National Emergencies Operation Center (NEOC) termed the flood situation in Ravi River extremely critical after India released water into Pakistan.
According to National Emergencies Operation Center (NEOC), there is an unusual flood situation in the rivers Chenab, Ravi and Sutlej. There is a very high flood level of 769,481 cusecs at Marala in Chenab River, which may exceed further.
At Khanki on River Chenab, there is an extremely high flood discharge of 705,225 cusecs, with the flow decreasing. In River Ravi at Jassar, a high flood of 202,200 cusecs is passing, which can reach up to 229,700 cusecs.
In River Ravi at Shahdara, a flow of 72,900 cusecs is ongoing. Low-lying areas of Shahdara, Park View and Motorway-2 are at risk of flooding. In River Sutlej at Ganda Singh Wala, an extremely high flood of 245,000 cusecs continues.
The current flow at Sulemanki in the Sutlej River is 100,355 cusecs. As per the instructions of Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) is monitoring all rescue and relief activities. National Emergencies Operation Center is fully operational round the clock.
NDMA is in contact with civil and military agencies. Residents living along riverbanks and waterways have been advised to immediately move to safe locations.
The provincial government has called in army as flood situation in Punjab goes extreme with major river reaching to it maximum capacity.
As per details, the armed forces have been called to assist civil authorities as floodwaters continue to disrupt life in six districts, including Lahore, Kasur, Sialkot, Faisalabad, Narowal and Okara.
Officials said district administrations in the affected areas had sought immediate military assistance to protect lives and support ongoing rescue operations.
Rescue 1122, civil defence, police and local administration are already on the ground, but the scale of the crisis has stretched their resources thin.
The development came after the Punjab Home Department formally written to the federal interior ministry requesting deployment of troops in the six districts.
Punjab floods are prompting safety alerts across multiple districts, with rising river flows and urban drainage issues specifically threatening low-lying areas.
Authorities have mobilised Rescue 1122 boats, relief camps, and standby medical teams, urging citizens to prepare go-bags, move livestock to higher ground, and avoid riverbanks.
Residents should monitor PDMA, NDMA and district notices for shelter locations, road closures, and helplines.
The Punjab Disaster Management Authority (PDMA) also issued an alert over the risk of high to very high flood levels in the Ravi River.
According to a PDMA spokesperson, in the next 48 hours, very high flood levels are expected to pass through Jassar, Shahdara, and Head Balloki. Commissioners of Lahore, Gujranwala, Multan, Sahiwal, Faisalabad, and deputy commissioners of the concerned districts have been alerted.
The spokesperson said that the water level in the Ravi River is continuously rising. At present, a high-level flood has been recorded at Jassar, while a low-level flood has been observed at Shahdara.
PDMA reports that the inflow of water at Jassar is 111,000 cusecs, while at Shahdara, the flow is 46,000 cusecs.
The PDMA Punjab has directed administrations of districts along the Ravi River to take emergency measures.
Citizens living within the riverbed have been instructed to evacuate immediately, while mosque announcements are being made to keep people informed of the situation.
The spokesperson emphasised that no negligence will be tolerated in ensuring the safety of lives and property.
Citizens have been urged to cooperate with the administration during emergencies. By following precautionary measures, potential losses can be minimised.
For further information and guidance, citizens can also contact the PDMA helpline.
