ISLAMABAD: River flows in Punjab have begun to recede, but the flood situation is worsening downstream as Sindh braces for the arrival of a fresh wave, according to new data issued by the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) on Saturday.
The authority said floodwaters in the Chenab were gradually declining at Trimmu, Marala, Khanki and Qadirabad, though a high flood of 308,000 cusecs persisted at Panjnad.
Severe inundation continued across southern districts including Multan, Muzaffargarh, Rajanpur, Lodhran, Bahawalpur, Rahim Yar Khan, Alipur, Sitpur, Liaquatpur, Uch Sharif and Ahmadpur East.
In the Ravi, conditions remained largely normal except at Ganda Singh, where 108,000 cusecs were recorded. In the Sutlej, 89,000 cusecs at Sulemanki and 83,000 cusecs at Head Islam marked a receding trend in Kasur, Okara, Vehari and Bahawalnagar.
In contrast, the Indus was in high flood at Guddu Barrage with 635,000 cusecs, while Sukkur recorded a medium flood of 538,000 cusecs and Kotri a low flood of 278,000 cusecs. NDMA warned that Guddu’s flood wave would reach Sukkur within 72 hours and Kotri by September 24–26, with possible flows between 400,000 and 445,000 cusecs.
Large tracts of farmland in Sindh have already been submerged, destroying thousands of acres of crops. Villages near Kandhkot reported standing water, while around 1.6 million people have been relocated from low-lying areas.
Authorities also raised the alarm over a fresh monsoon spell expected from September 16. Punjab’s Provincial Disaster Management Authority (PDMA) forecast heavy rain from September 16–19 in Rawalpindi, Murree, Galiyat, Attock, Chakwal, Jhelum, Gujranwala, Lahore, Gujrat, Sialkot, Narowal, Hafizabad, Mandi Bahauddin, Okara, Sahiwal, Kasur, Jhang, Sargodha and Mianwali. Flash floods and landslides were possible in hilly areas.
The PDMA said erosion forced the closure of the M-5 Motorway’s Jalalpur Pirwala section, while commissioners and deputy commissioners were instructed to stay on alert.
Reservoir levels remain a concern, with Mangla at 93 per cent capacity, Tarbela at full, and major Indian dams including Bhakra, Pong and Thein also near maximum levels. Officials cautioned that any further heavy rainfall could push the system beyond safe limits.
According to NDMA, since the onset of monsoon rains on June 26, at least 985 people have been killed and 1,062 injured nationwide. Relief efforts continue under federal coordination, with emergency helplines and rescue teams active across the country.
