51 dead in Punjab floods as Panjnad, Sutlej overflow

The flood situation across Punjab has worsened, with rising water levels at major rivers and barrages causing devastation in dozens of districts.

At Head Panjnad, the water flow, which had earlier decreased from 310,000 cusecs to 206,000 cusecs, rose again to 306,000 cusecs on Friday, raising fears of a massive flood wave.

Rising water levels across dams and rivers

According to the Flood Forecasting Division (FFD), Tarbela Dam is now 100% full, while Mangla stands at 87% capacity. Current levels were reported as:

• Tarbela: 1,549.92 feet

• Mangla: 1,230.25 feet

• Khanpur: 1,981.35 feet

• Rawal: 1,751.50 feet

• Samli: 2,314.80 feet

Authorities have also confirmed:

• Extremely high flood at Ganda Singh Wala

• Very high flood at Chenot Bridge, Baloki, and Sadhanai

• High flood at Trimu, Ravi Siphon, Shahdara, and Sulemanki

• Moderate flood at Khanki, Qadirabad, Panjnad, Islam, and Mailsi Siphon

• Low-level floods at Guddu, Sukkur, Kotri, and Jasar

Additionally, Nallah Palkho (adjacent to the Chenab) faces high-level flooding, while Nallah Ek and Nallah Basantar face medium and low levels respectively.

Villages submerged and crops destroyed

The situation has intensified after excess water was released by India, pushing massive flood relays into Pakistani rivers. In Sindh, the water flow was recorded at 357,000 cusecs at Guddu Barrage and 327,000 cusecs at Sukkur Barrage.

Floodwaters have broken protective dams in Bahawalpur, Multan, and Shujaabad, submerging villages and destroying crops on millions of acres. In Multan, water reached Sher Shah Toll Plaza after a breach at Zamindar Dam, forcing authorities to erect temporary barriers. Several parts of the DG Khan National Highway were also inundated.

RELATED: Flood alert: Monsoon rains in Punjab to continue till Sept 9

In Sutlej, a flood relay of 100,000 cusecs submerged four tehsils of Bahawalpur. In Gujarat, floodwaters still choke streets after three days, shutting down markets and offices. Shorkot-Khanewal railway section also remains closed as a flood carrying 260,000 cusecs passed through Sultan Bahu Bridge.

Loss of Lives and Infrastructure

Tragedy has followed the floods, with two youths drowning in Mandi Bahauddin. In Shujaabad’s Basti Gagra, a 200-foot-wide crack in the protective dam allowed water into settlements. At Basti Greywala in Multan, water levels continue to rise.

In Chiniot, rescue teams shifted 25 people to safety, adding to a total of 1,312 rescues so far. Meanwhile, in Khanewal and Uch Sharif, dozens of villages have been submerged, with standing crops destroyed.

Flooding has damaged a 110-kilometer fence along the Indian border, submerging 90 Border Security Force posts inside India as well. The Sutlej, Ravi, and Chenab rivers have caused damage to both sides of the border.

According to Irfan Kathia, DG of PDMA Punjab, at least 51 people have lost their lives in Punjab due to the ongoing floods. The government continues relief and rescue operations, but thousands remain displaced, with fears of further damage as water levels keep rising.