Lahore, August 27, 2025 – Punjab is facing an alarming flood situation as record-breaking rainfall and surging river flows threaten several districts. Sialkot has been hit the hardest, with 364mm of rain recorded in just 24 hours surpassing the previous record of 299.2mm set in July 1961. At the Sialkot airport alone, the downpour measured 198mm, according to the Meteorological Department.
The Chenab River is witnessing extreme flooding at Marala Headworks. Officials reported an inflow of 671,148 cusecs and an outflow of 664,618 cusecs, dangerously close to its maximum handling capacity of 1.1 million cusecs. Authorities in Sialkot have sounded alarms, urging residents in vulnerable areas to remain cautious.
Heavy rains were also reported in other parts of Punjab: Gujrat received 115mm, Narowal 102mm, Mangla 48mm, Jhelum 47mm, Gujranwala 34mm, and Lahore city 27mm.
Meanwhile, the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) has announced the opening of Tarbela Dam’s spillways today at 12:30 pm, with the release of 250,000 cusecs of water. Officials warned that further rainfall in Indian upstream regions could worsen the situation, pushing more water into Pakistan’s rivers and streams.
In an advisory, the NDMA cautioned that the next 12 to 24 hours will be critical for districts including Gujrat, Gujranwala, Sialkot, Narowal, Lahore, Kasur, Jhelum, Chakwal, Mandi Bahauddin, Hafizabad, Nankana Sahib, Chunian, and Pakpattan. Urban flooding in low-lying areas and rising river levels remain a major concern.
Lahore, in particular, is on high alert. With 23,000 cusecs of water entering the Ravi River near the city, officials fear the possibility of a very high flood level within the next 48 hours.
The Sutlej River has also continued to swell after fresh water releases from India, submerging multiple villages in Tehsil Burewala. At Islam Headworks, irrigation officials reported an inflow of 48,564 cusecs and an outflow of 46,564 cusecs. Thousands of acres of standing crops have already been destroyed, adding to farmers’ misery.
Authorities have urged citizens to remain vigilant and follow safety advisories as the risk of further flooding persists across Punjab.
