The flood situation in Punjab has worsened as water levels in major rivers continue to rise. The Provincial Disaster Management Authority (PDMA) confirmed that the Ravi River at Shahdara has reached a dangerous flow of 215,000 cusecs, classifying it as a “very high flood.” Officials linked the surge to water releases from India and warned that the situation could further deteriorate if inflows continue.
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Floodwaters have already entered low-lying areas of Farrukhabad. Despite repeated warnings, crowds of people gathered at the Ravi Bridge in Lahore to watch the rising river and take pictures, raising concerns over public safety.
In Bahawalpur, the Sutlej River has overflowed at the Empress Bridge, where continuous water inflows and a breach at the Arghi Dam in Basti Yousaf Wala and Ahmed Wala have caused water to enter homes, forcing families to evacuate. The swelling river has also triggered erosion in nearby lands, increasing the risk for settlements along its path.
Rescue teams, along with the Punjab government, are carrying out relief operations. Evacuation efforts are underway, while residents in vulnerable areas have been urged to move to safer locations. Flood relief centers have been established, and rescue boats have been deployed to support affected communities.
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Authorities have again appealed to the public to avoid visiting riverbanks unnecessarily and to follow safety advisories to prevent accidents as rivers Ravi, Chenab, and Sutlej continue to face extraordinary flooding.
