WEBDESK: Punjab is facing its worst river flooding in 38 years. According to Director General of the Provincial Disaster Management Authority (PDMA), Irfan Ali Kathia, a massive flood flow will pass through Shahdara tonight.
Speaking to the media in Lahore, Mr Kathia said the flow at Shahdara in the Ravi River has reached 72,000 cusecs. He warned that this will be a major challenge for Lahore and Shahdara overnight.
He added that the Ravi River has not seen such high water levels since 1988. He thanked the Pakistan Army for rescuing people trapped in riverside areas last night. Army support has been sought in seven districts. Citizens have been urged to leave areas close to the Ravi.
At Jassar, the flow in the Ravi has reached 240,000 cusecs, marking an extremely high flood. People have been told to stay away from the river for the next 48 hours.
At Ganda Singh, water flow has crossed 200,000 cusecs. Despite the scale of the floods, timely measures have helped prevent loss of life. Mr Kathia said floods will remain a challenge until the flow passes through Rahim Yar Khan.
He stated that there are no shortcomings in the arrangements. The situation is being monitored closely, with full coordination between civil and military institutions. In the Sutlej River, high flooding has continued for the past 10 days, though no major damage to structures is expected.
The National Emergencies Operation Centre, set up by the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA), has issued an emergency alert for the Chenab, Ravi and Sutlej rivers. It confirmed that all three are facing extraordinary flood conditions.
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has directed NDMA to supervise all rescue and relief work. The Emergency Centre is active 24 hours a day and coordinating with both civil and military bodies.
NDMA has advised people living near rivers and waterways to move to safe locations immediately. Citizens have been told to follow local administration instructions, avoid unnecessary travel in flood-hit areas, and keep emergency kits ready, including food, water, medicine and important documents.
Read more: Over 150,000 evacuated as India releases water into Punjab’s Sutlej, Ravi
