High Alert Issued as Ravi River Nears Peak Flow
Authorities in Punjab have issued a high-flood alert for the River Ravi at Shahdara, where water levels are nearing critical thresholds. According to the National Emergencies Operation Centre (NEOC), the river is currently carrying a significant flow of approximately 202,200 cusecs at Jassar, with projections indicating a possible rise to 229,700 cusecs. In Lahore’s Shahdara area, flow rates are at 72,900 cusecs, putting low-lying neighborhoods including Park View and Motorway-2 at elevated risk (Geo tv).
The flood is expected to peak in Shahdara between 10 PM and midnight local time, before moving toward Balloki by around 9 AM on Thursday (Geo tv).
Transboundary Coordination and Additional River Alerts
In response to heavy rainfall in India, all gates of key dams in the Kashmir region were opened. India has proactively shared hydrological data with Pakistan’s authorities, facilitating timely alerts across shared river systems. The Indus Water Commissioner’s office has accordingly issued flood warnings for multiple rivers: the Sutlej (Ferozepur downstream), Ravi (Madhopur downstream), and Chenab (Akhnoor downstream) (Geo tv).
Meanwhile, NEOC data show extremely high discharges in the Sutlej—245,000 cusecs at Ganda Singh Wala and 100,355 cusecs at Sulemanki—and substantial flows in the Chenab, including 769,481 cusecs at Marala and 705,225 cusecs at Khanki, though the latter has shown signs of easing (Geo tv).
Emergency Response and Evacuations Underway
In light of the rising water levels in the Ravi and Chenab rivers, authorities have commenced precautionary evacuation from vulnerable areas. Thousands have already been relocated from floodplain regions across Punjab (Geo tv).
Rescue teams, including Rescue 1122, civil defence, police, and local administration officials, are actively engaged in evacuation and assistance operations. The Pakistan Army has also been deployed to support these efforts, responding to a formal request from the Punjab Home Department. As of now, over 167,000 individuals have been displaced—roughly 40,000 of whom moved voluntarily following early flood warnings issued since mid-August (Geo tv).
National Disaster Management in Command
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has tasked the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) with leading the overall rescue and relief operations. The NDMA, in coordination with the NEOC—which is operating 24/7—is collaborating closely with both civil and military agencies to ensure effective emergency response (Geo tv).
Residents living near rivers and waterways have been urged to relocate immediately to safer locations. Rescue teams remain on standby, monitoring the situation and ready to respond as needed (Geo tv).
Signs of Relief: Rainfall Easing and Stabilizing River Levels
PDMA Director General Irfan Ali Kathia projected that river levels in Punjab are expected to begin receding shortly, as rain in upstream catchment areas has subsided. He noted that the Sutlej, which has been experiencing high flows for the past week, appears to have stabilized, particularly at Ganda Singh Wala (Geo tv).
Kathia emphasized the preparedness measures underway. He assured authorities are “confident the water will safely pass through Shahdara with no casualties,” citing the river’s capacity of 250,000 cusecs at Shahdara and noting that anticipated flows of 180,000 to 190,000 cusecs would remain within manageable limits (Geo tv).
Summary Table: Current Flood Indicators
| River/Location | Flow Rate (cusecs) | Status/Outlook |
|---|---|---|
| Ravi at Jassar | ~202,200 (could rise to 229,700) | High flood, rising risk |
| Ravi at Shahdara | ~72,900 | Low-lying areas at risk; peak expected overnight |
| Sutlej at Ganda Singh Wala | ~245,000 | High flood level, now steady |
| Sutlej at Sulemanki | ~100,355 | Elevated but stable |
| Chenab at Marala | ~769,481 | Very high discharge |
| Chenab at Khanki | ~705,225 | High, though showing signs of easing |
Looking Ahead
While the flood threat remains serious, current developments point toward cautious optimism. Easing inflows and proactive evacuations underpin ongoing relief efforts. Authorities continue to coordinate rescue, monitoring, and public safety operations across Punjab.
Stay tuned to Buzz Pakistan for further updates on this developing situation.
