ISLAMABAD, Aug 26 (Alliance News): The National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) has issued a flood alert for the Ravi River after increased inflows from India’s Madhopur Headworks, raising concerns of major flooding across Punjab.
Officials said inflows at Jassar are expected to reach 125,000 cusecs within 48 hours, while the Sutlej River at Ganda Singh Wala may swell beyond 220,000 cusecs.
The Chenab River’s discharge at Marala is projected to rise up to 200,000 cusecs. Tributaries, including Aik, Deg, and Palkhu, are also likely to experience high flood levels.
The Flood Forecasting Division confirmed “very high flood” conditions at the Sutlej on Monday, with discharge already recorded at 188,810 cusecs.
India’s Thein (Ranjit Sagar) Dam is reportedly near capacity, raising fears of further water releases.
Medium to low flood levels were also reported at Sukkur, Kotri, and Tarbela on the Indus River system. Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif directed the NDMA to hold daily monsoon review meetings and ensure relief coordination with provincial authorities.
Diplomatic sources noted that India’s flood alerts mark the first direct contact with Pakistan since May’s armed clashes following the Pahalgam attack, which New Delhi blamed on Islamabad.
India has since suspended the Indus Waters Treaty (IWT), declaring it would remain frozen until Pakistan ends alleged militancy support.
The Foreign Office reiterated Pakistan’s stance that India is legally bound to honor the IWT, warning that any attempt to block or divert Pakistan’s share of water would be considered an “act of war.”
