Lahore, August 31, 2025: Fresh data from the Pakistan Meteorological Department’s Flood Forecasting Division has confirmed “exceptionally high” flood levels at critical points in Punjab’s rivers, intensifying fears of further devastation across the province.
According to the 4:00pm update on Sunday, the Ravi and Sutlej rivers are under the greatest strain. At Balloki Headworks on the Ravi, inflows and outflows stood at 186,515 cusecs, with the river officially at exceptionally high flood level, though flows are currently falling. Similarly, at Ganda Singh Wala on the Sutlej, the river is also at exceptionally high flood level, discharging 253,068 cusecs with a steady trend.
The Chenab River remains in high flood at Trimmu Headworks, where flows reached 445,705 cusecs. The situation at Qadirabad Headworks has shown slight relief, with medium-level flooding at 165,318 cusecs, trending downward.
The Ravi River is recording medium-level flooding at Shahdara (76,700 cusecs) and Jassar (76,842 cusecs), with flows remaining steady. However, officials warn that merging floodwaters from the Ravi and Chenab in the coming days could worsen the crisis downstream.
On the Sutlej, water levels are high at Sulemanki, where inflows reached 134,970 cusecs, while the river at Islam Headworks is at low flood levels with 68,637 cusecs, both showing steady trends.
Meanwhile, the Indus River is showing comparatively calmer conditions but remains under close monitoring. At Guddu, inflows of 309,720 cusecs are trending downward, while Sukkur recorded 303,460 cusecs with steady flows. At Kotri, however, water levels are rising, with inflows at 273,844 cusecs and outflows at 244,739 cusecs.
Authorities have placed barrages on high alert, particularly Head Panjnad in South Punjab, where floodwaters from the Chenab, Ravi and Sutlej are expected to converge within 72 hours before joining the Indus.
Disaster management officials continue to urge residents in low-lying and riverine areas to evacuate immediately, warning that sustained high flows may inundate additional villages in the coming days. Relief camps remain active in multiple districts, while rescue teams are monitoring riverbanks and vulnerable settlements.
