Heavy rainfall and India’s dam release trigger “exceptionally high floods” in Pakistan
Islamabad, Hilal Ahmad, August 27, AZERTAC
Pakistani authorities have called in the army to assist civil administration in rescue and relief operations in many districts of Punjab, as the province faces a "very high to exceptionally high" flood emergency caused by heavy rains and India’s release of water from two dams. Early Wednesday, the River Chenab at Marala and the River Ravi at Jassar were declared to be in an “exceptionally high flood” condition, with outflows exceeding 900,000 and 200,000 cusecs, respectively.
According to the latest reports, the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) has warned that Lahore, the provincial capital and Pakistan’s second-largest city, along with other parts of Punjab, faces a “very high to exceptionally high” flood threat. Heavy rains and India’s release of water have swollen rivers on the Pakistani side. The NDMA has issued urgent warnings following extremely dangerous flood levels in the Chenab, Ravi, and Sutlej rivers.
Punjab provincial authorities confirmed that a formal request had been sent to the federal interior ministry for the deployment of troops. Heavy rains combined with water releases from Indian dams have pushed the Ravi, Chenab, and Sutlej rivers to dangerous levels, forcing officials to raise the alarm. Both India and Pakistan have been hit by intense rains and flooding in recent weeks.
The NDMA on Wednesday described the situation as “extreme” and warned that vulnerable areas are already under threat. According to a spokesperson for the Punjab provincial government, the army has been requisitioned in six districts, including Lahore, to help local administrations protect lives and property. The decision was taken after formal requests for immediate troop deployment.
Heavy rains in the upper catchment areas of the Chenab and Ravi rivers have swollen downstream flows, placing thousands of people at risk. The Sutlej River is also reaching alarming levels, recording catastrophic discharges. Pakistani authorities confirmed that India had opened all gates of the Thein Dam on the Ravi River, while also warning that the Madhopur Dam on the Ravi may soon release more water.
The Sutlej in Pakistan is already carrying 245,000 cusecs of water, which is likely to rise further. India’s release of tens of thousands of cusecs into rivers flowing to Pakistan has heightened fears of severe flooding in parts of Punjab in the coming hours.
Officials fear that the Ravi River may cause widespread damage, as it is largely dry for most of the year, particularly on the Pakistani side. The sudden release of water from India has triggered emergency evacuations across several districts of Punjab. The NDMA has urged residents in low-lying areas to move to safer places and advised people to avoid unnecessary travel and stay in contact with local rescue teams.
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