Officials confirmed on Monday that the Indian High Commissioner in Pakistan has reached out to Pakistani authorities following warnings of severe flooding in the Sutlej River. This development occurs as Punjab prepares for one of the most intense flood waves in years, with the Chenab, Ravi, and Sutlej rivers swelling to critical levels.
According to the Joint Commissioner Indus Water, a massive inflow of water is anticipated to enter Pakistan from Harike and Ferozepur, posing a significant flood threat in the Sutlej. The official has already sent a letter to Islamabad, cautioning of serious risks in the coming days. Pakistani officials stated that the Indian envoy was formally briefed on the situation. Four provincial chief secretaries and other relevant authorities have also been put on alert regarding the impending danger.
At Head Trimmu, the Chenab River’s inflow was recorded at 479,000 cusecs, placing it in the “extremely high flood” category. Authorities have also decided to close traffic at Head Trimmu. PDMA officials warned that the flow could rise to 700,000 cusecs by evening, putting downstream areas, including Jhang, Multan, and Muzaffargarh, at severe risk.
The flood surge has already displaced thousands, submerged hundreds of villages, and destroyed extensive agricultural lands. Punjab’s Relief Commissioner Nabeel Javed visited the PDMA control room to review ongoing relief efforts. He confirmed that Punjab’s largest-ever rescue and relief mission is underway, with 506 relief camps and 352 medical camps established in flood-affected regions. Javed said that “more than 17,000 people have received medical treatment, while over 500,000 cattle have been relocated to safer places.”
So far, at least 33 people have died and 8 have been injured in flood-related incidents across Punjab. More than 2 million people have been affected, with large-scale evacuations carried out by Rescue 1122, PDMA, and Pakistan Army teams. Officials confirmed that embankments have been prepped with dynamite in case controlled breaches are required to divert floodwaters away from densely populated areas.
The Pakistan Meteorological Department has forecasted additional heavy rains in the upper Sutlej and Ravi catchments between September 1 and 3, which could exacerbate the crisis. Urban flooding is also feared in the Lahore, Gujranwala, and Gujrat divisions. Officials stated that rescue operations will continue until all victims are rehabilitated, while the Punjab government has pledged to compensate both citizens and farmers for their losses.
