LAHORE, Aug 26 (Alliance News): India released large volumes of water into the Sutlej and Ravi rivers, triggering high-level floods that submerged several villages across Punjab, officials said on Monday.
According to official sources, India contacted Pakistan twice to inform about the release of water. However, instead of using the Indus Water Commission, both communications were made through diplomatic channels, marking the first such contact since the May War.
The first intimation, given late Sunday night, concerned water released into the Tuwi River. The second message warned of flooding in the Sutlej River, which subsequently overflowed at Head Ganda Singh Wala and Head Sulemanki.
The flood relay has broken multiple dams along the Sutlej, causing severe inundation in Bahawalnagar, Kasur, Pakpattan, and surrounding districts. PDMA Punjab issued flood alerts to commissioners of Lahore, Sahiwal, Multan, Bahawalpur, and Dera Ghazi Khan to initiate relief efforts.
Officials confirmed that the protective dam at Head Islam collapsed, forcing the evacuation of over 1,400 people to safer locations in Pakpattan. In Chishtian, nearly 150 houses were damaged, while water from the Banhan drain in Jhelum entered settlements, leaving Borewala, Arif Wala, and Chichawatni heavily affected.
Floodwaters have also devastated crops in Farooqabad, Jamlera, Sahoka, Muzaffar Bhattian Tibi, Lal Beg, Noorath, and Basti Mengal. Authorities said the scale of damage to farmland is still being assessed.
Meanwhile, moderate flooding was reported in the Ravi River at Head Sulemanki and Jassar, where water levels surged to 82,140 cusecs.
According to NDMA, the Ravi River is now 86 percent full, posing risks to low-lying areas in Sialkot, Narowal, and Kasur.
Relief and rescue operations are underway, with NDMA and PDMA monitoring the situation closely.
Officials have urged residents in flood-prone areas to remain vigilant and follow evacuation advisories to minimize casualties and property losses.
