India releases 800,000 cusecs water into Chenab River
LAHORE (Web News) – India once again released 800,000 cusecs of water into the Chenab River without prior intimation, raising fears of a major flood at Head Marala in Punjab.
According to reports, all gates of the Salal Dam were opened by India without issuing an official notification. Currently, the Chenab is flowing normally at Head Marala, but a massive flood threat now looms again.
Irrigation officials revealed that the release from Salal Dam will send an 800,000 cusec flood wave towards Pakistan. Just a few days earlier, India had released 900,000 cusecs as well.
The situation in Punjab’s three major rivers—Ravi, Chenab, and Sutlej—is already dire. Thousands of villages are submerged, hundreds of livestock have perished, and standing crops destroyed.
So far, 38 people have lost their lives in various flood-related incidents.
Following the rise in water levels in Ravi, floodwaters entered Shahdara and adjoining areas of Lahore, causing heavy financial losses.
PDMA alert
According to the PDMA spokesperson, India has issued a high-flood alert at Harike. Today, official sources confirmed a high-flood warning at the Sutlej near Harike, but no formal communication has yet been received regarding releases into the Chenab or other rivers. There has also been no official notification about Salal Dam’s spillways being opened.
In line with the Punjab CM’s instructions, civil administration and relevant departments remain on high alert.
PDMA Punjab, IRSA, and the Irrigation Department are monitoring river flows round the clock. Authorities and citizens will be alerted in advance about any major flood wave.
Emergency situation at Punjab rivers
Senior Minister Marriyum Aurangzeb said Punjab is currently facing the worst flood in its history, creating an emergency situation. The rivers Ravi, Sutlej, and Chenab are already at dangerous levels.
She added that the floods have so far claimed 38 precious lives due to house collapses, electrocution, and other incidents.
Aurangzeb held previous governments responsible for allowing illegal settlements along riverbanks, while noting that the current government has strictly banned deforestation. Mapping of riverbeds has also begun.
The minister further stated that allocations for dam construction in Punjab have been made with the ADB, and several flood-protection projects are already underway.
Historic floods ravage Punjab as Sindh stays on high alert
Continuous heavy rainfall in various cities of Punjab over several hours has worsened the situation for flood victims as many areas have been left without electricity. High-level flooding persists in the Ravi, Chenab, and Sutlej rivers, causing destruction in Jhang, Multan, Chichawatni, and Vehari.
In Lahore, heavy rain is ongoing in various areas including Ravi Bridge, The Mall, Gulberg, Davis Road, and Garhi Shahu. The intense rainfall has increased water levels on city roads. Housing societies in the Chuhang area remain submerged, raising fears of the spread of infectious diseases.
In Chiniot, Wazirabad, Gujrat, Nankana Sahib, and Narowal, the already deteriorating conditions in low-lying areas have worsened due to the rain.
After the rainfall, streams and drains in Jhelum have overflowed, and water has entered residential areas in multiple places. Children stranded on a madrasa roof were rescued by boat. Rain, both heavy and light, has also been recorded in Pakpattan, Okara, Vehari, and Multan.
Meanwhile, the Meteorological Department has forecast continued rainfall — ranging from light to heavy — in various parts of Punjab.
A total of 1,169 localities have been affected along the Chenab River, 478 localities along the Ravi River, and 391 localities along the Sutlej River.
CHINIOT
According to local administration, 144 localities have been submerged in Chiniot, with people trapped in eight to 10 feet deep water. Evacuation to safer places is currently underway.
At least 20 localities have been under rainwater, and today’s rainfall has further increased the water levels.
