The Provincial Disaster Management Authority (PDMA) Punjab has issued a major flood alert as water levels continue to rise in the Sutlej and Ravi rivers, with reports of riverbank loss and crop damage emerging from Bahawalpur.
According to PDMA, the Sutlej downstream at Ferozepur faces a high flood threat, while touching streams and drains are also expected to swell.
High floods were recorded at Ganda Singh Wala, and a medium flood was reported at Head Sulemanki. The Ravi River registered 90,000 cusecs at Jassar and 40,000 cusecs at Shahdara.
The Indus River remains in low flood at Kalabagh and Chashma, while flows at Tarbela and Taunsa are normal.
Officials said Indus flows had recently fallen from 500,000 to 250,000 cusecs but cautioned they could rise again with the next monsoon spell.
In Bahawalpur, the flood situation has worsened. At Mari Qasim Shah, severe erosion has swept away hundreds of acres of farmland, leaving farmers in despair.
The protective embankment has been breached, and local authorities have warned residents to evacuate.
At Head Panjnad, where the five rivers converge, the Sutlej flows surged to 106,000 cusecs, putting Uch Sharif and nearby areas at risk of flooding.
A high alert has been sounded, and riverside residents are relocating after evacuation calls were made publicly.
Rainfall figures from the past 24 hours show Narowal receiving the highest downpour at 103mm, followed by Kasur at 96mm, Lahore 38mm, Gujrat 16mm, Gujranwala 13mm, and Murree 1mm.
The Met Office has forecast heavy rains until August 27, especially in Murree, Rawalpindi, Attock, Jhelum, and Chakwal.
Reservoir levels have also risen, with Tarbela Dam now at full capacity and Mangla at 76 percent. Across the border in India, Bhakra Dam is 80 percent full, Pong 87 percent, and Thein 85 percent.
PDMA DG Irfan Ali Kathia has directed all deputy commissioners to stay on high alert and finalize emergency measures under the chief minister’s instructions.
Rescue and relief teams have been told to remain deployed in vulnerable areas, while families are advised to keep children away from drains, low-lying areas, and riverbanks.
The PDMA confirmed that despite heavy rains, no loss of life or property was reported in Punjab over the past 24 hours.