Floodwaters ravage Punjab as Chenab, Ravi rivers swell; Sixth day of monsoon rains batters Lahore

LAHORE: Rising water levels in the Chenab and Ravi rivers have triggered flood-like conditions in several parts of Punjab, inundating farmland, breaching protective embankments and forcing residents to move to safer locations, while Lahore witnessed its sixth consecutive day of monsoon rainfall on Friday.

In Alipur Chatta's Kot Bela area and around the Qadirabad Barrage, surging waters of the Chenab River caused extensive land erosion, placing dozens of houses at risk and submerging thousands of acres of agricultural land. Standing crops remained under several feet of water, inflicting heavy losses on farmers.

Floodwaters also breached a protective dyke near Bada Parara in Taranda Muhammad Panah, rapidly spreading into nearby settlements. Residents reported that sugarcane, moong, sesame and fodder crops had been submerged, while roads linking several villages were cut off, forcing families to evacuate.

Locals said they were still recovering from last year's floods when the latest inundation struck, and urged the government to accelerate relief and protection measures.

The Chenab's strong currents also eroded the joint cemetery at Gurna Pathana, washing away several graves and putting many others at risk.

On the directives of the deputy commissioner, Assistant Commissioner Mohsin Iqbal Dhillon visited the affected areas, where the administration intensified the construction of protective embankments and relief operations. Heavy machinery has also been deployed to divert floodwater.

According to the Irrigation Department, water levels in the Ravi River continue to rise at Abdul Hakeem Headworks, with inflows recorded at 53,530 cusecs and outflows at 38,230 cusecs.

The district administration has established flood relief camps at Mal Fatiana, Kot Pathana, Adda Kalera, Village Tara, Haveli Mai Safooran, Kot Karam Shah and Dedhi, while crops in several villages, including Mal Fatiana, Khan Da Chak, Jhalar Sagla, Shahabal Shah, Basti Peepal Wala and Darsana, have been submerged.

The Sub-Divisional Officer (SDO) Irrigation advised residents living along riverbanks to relocate to safer places as a precaution.

Meanwhile, Lahore continued to receive heavy monsoon showers for the sixth straight day, with the Pakistan Meteorological Department reporting an average rainfall of 70.5 millimetres across the city.

The highest rainfall of 142.8 millimetres was recorded in Saggian, followed by 141.2mm in Farrukhabad, 129mm at Pani Wala Talab, 105.6mm at Upper Mall and 94.4mm at Lakshmi Chowk.

Other major rainfall readings included 90mm at Chowk Nakhuda, 89.2mm at Gulberg Head Office, 84mm in Samanabad, 77.6mm in Gulshan Ravi, 70mm in Nishtar Town, 66mm in Kahna, 64.7mm on Jail Road and 63mm in Johar Town.

The Met Office said Defence Road received the lowest rainfall in the city at 9.6 millimetres.