Authorities warn of major inundations after India’s sudden water release
LAHORE:
Pakistan on Monday issued urgent flood alerts after India abruptly released massive volumes of water into the Sutlej and Chenab rivers, bypassing advance notification under the Indus Waters Treaty. The development has triggered fears of devastating flooding across large swathes of Punjab.
Officials confirmed that Islamabad was informed of the move only after the release, through the Indian High Commission. Pakistan’s Ministry of Water Resources reported surging flows at the Lower Harike and Lower Ferozepur points on the Sutlej since early September 1, describing the situation as “critical.”
The Provincial Disaster Management Authority (PDMA) has identified nine districts most at risk Kasur, Okara, Pakpattan, Bahawalnagar, Vehari, Lodhran, Bahawalpur, Multan and Muzaffargarh and directed deputy commissioners to activate contingency plans immediately. Current inflows in the Sutlej stand at an extraordinary 253,000 cusecs, with forecasts suggesting levels could climb to 300,000 cusecs if rains in upper catchments persist.
The Ravi, meanwhile, has risen dangerously near Renala Khurd, cutting off dozens of villages. In Khanewal, floodwaters from the Ravi and Chenab inundated thousands of acres of farmland, wiping out cotton, rice, maize and sesame crops. Protective embankments gave way in several locations, allowing torrents to spread deep into settlements as far as Sahuja.
At Burewala, a flood wave carrying 190,000 cusecs continues to ravage farmland. Further downstream, the Trimmu Headworks on the Chenab has recorded flows exceeding 550,000 cusecs, submerging villages and severing major road links including Sargodha Road. Officials reported damage to more than 500 roads and 60 bridges province-wide.
PDMA Director General Irfan Ali Kathia confirmed India had released water from Salal, Nangal and Harike barrages, with the flood surge expected to reach Head Marala within two days. In Narowal, entire roads were swept away, leaving communities stranded. Farmers warned of acute fodder shortages threatening their livestock.
Punjab Information Minister Azma Bukhari described the unfolding crisis as “extraordinary,” accusing India of worsening monsoon flooding by releasing water without coordination. She said rescue teams using drones and thermal imaging had evacuated thousands of residents, with operations ongoing across the province.
The Pakistan Meteorological Department (PMD) has issued a red alert for heavy rainfall through September 3 across Punjab, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (K-P) and Kashmir. Forecasters warned of fresh flash floods, landslides and urban inundation in low-lying areas including Lahore, Narowal, Sialkot and Rawalpindi. Meteorologists linked the weather system to monsoon currents from the Bay of Bengal and Arabian Sea, reinforced by a westerly disturbance.
So far, more than 3,100 villages and 2,900 settlements have been affected, displacing over 2.4 million people. At least 41 lives have been lost, with thousands of homes and vast stretches of farmland destroyed. Relief agencies say nearly 900,000 people and 600,000 livestock have been shifted to safer locations.
Rising floodwaters forced suspension of the daily flag-lowering ceremony at the Ganda Singh border in Kasur, as parts of the frontier with India were inundated. Authorities said the parade will remain halted until conditions improve.
Looking ahead, the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) warned that a peak flow of up to 1.3 million cusecs could reach Sindh by September 5. Sindh Chief Minister Murad Ali Shah said arrangements were in place to handle flows up to 900,000 cusecs, but admitted a super flood of 1.2 to 1.3 million cusecs would pose a severe challenge.
