Punjab rivers in extreme flooding as Sialkot rainfall breaks 64-year record
LAHORE: Punjab is facing extreme flooding as rivers swell following record-breaking rainfall, with Sialkot receiving 364 millimeters of rain in the last 24 hours, the heaviest downpour in 64 years. The Pakistan Meteorological Department (PMD) confirmed that the new figure surpassed the previous record of 299.2 millimeters set on July 31, 1961. Rainfall at Sialkot airport was measured at 198 millimeters, while surrounding districts also recorded heavy showers including Gujrat with 115 millimeters, Narowal 102 millimeters, Mangla 48 millimeters, Jhelum 47 millimeters, Gujranwala 34 millimeters and Lahore city 27 millimeters.
According to the flood control room, the Chenab River is flowing in extremely high flood at Marala Headworks, where inflows have been recorded at 671,148 cusecs and outflows at 664,618 cusecs. Officials said the barrage has a maximum capacity of 1.1 million cusecs but the current levels remain alarming, forcing emergency surveillance. In Lahore, the Ravi River has seen water inflows of 23,000 cusecs, with authorities warning of a potential very high flood level within the next 48 hours. The district administration has asked residents in low-lying areas to evacuate immediately to avoid disaster.
The National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) has ordered the opening of Tarbela Dam’s spillways at 12:30pm today, releasing 250,000 cusecs of water into the system. In its advisory, the NDMA said more rainfall is expected over the next 12 to 24 hours across several districts including Gujrat, Gujranwala, Sialkot, Narowal, Lahore, Kasur, Jhelum, Chakwal, Mandi Bahauddin, Hafizabad, Nankana Sahib, Chunian and Pakpattan. The authority has warned of further flooding in rivers, canals and urban low-lying areas, urging citizens to stay alert.
Meanwhile, the Sutlej River continues to rise after another release of water from India, inundating multiple villages in Tehsil Burewala. Irrigation officials reported an inflow of 48,564 cusecs at Islam Headworks and an outflow of 46,564 cusecs. The sudden surge has destroyed standing crops over thousands of acres while displacing families who are now sheltering in temporary camps. Rescue and relief teams are operating on the ground but authorities cautioned that further water inflows could submerge additional villages in Vehari, Pakpattan and Bahawalnagar.
Read More: Sutlej River sees extremely high flood level as 72 Kasur villages submerged
Officials said the situation across Punjab remains critical, with the next 48 hours deemed decisive. Relief agencies, district administrations and the military have been placed on high alert to deal with the crisis, while NDMA continues to monitor the flood situation round the clock.
