Lahore on High Alert as Ravi Floods Trigger Mass Evacuations

News Desk 

Lahore: Rising water levels in the Ravi River have forced mass evacuations across Lahore and adjoining districts, as officials warn of an extreme flood situation threatening thousands of lives and livelihoods.

Early Thursday morning, mosques issued urgent announcements calling on residents of low-lying areas to move to safer ground with their families and livestock. Section 144 has been imposed to restrict movement in flood-hit zones.

At Shahdara, the Ravi’s flow surged to 151,000 cusecs and is projected to cross 200,000 cusecs within 12 hours, according to the Punjab Disaster Management Authority (PDMA). With the river’s capacity at 250,000 cusecs, authorities fear further escalation.

Commissioner Lahore Asif Bilal Lodhi said evacuations from the riverbed had been completed and nearby villages were being cleared. “So far, around 500 families have been shifted to relief camps,” he confirmed.

The Ravi is also in extreme flood condition at Jassar, where flows reached 166,000 cusecs. At Balloki, levels stand at 82,000 cusecs and continue to rise.

Chenab&Sutlej under pressure

While water pressure in the Chenab has eased slightly, the danger persists. At Khanki Headworks, flow dropped from 1.05 million to 905,000 cusecs, but Qadirabad remains under extreme threat at 1.05 million cusecs. Authorities have warned of a possible breach at Qadirabad, which could inundate Hafizabad and Chiniot. Mines have been placed along embankments in Chiniot to relieve pressure if needed.

At Marala Headworks, flows reduced to 246,970 cusecs, but remain at high flood levels. Meanwhile, the Sutlej River at Ganda Singh Wala recorded 261,000 cusecs, putting Kasur and Okara districts on high alert. Medium flood levels were also reported at Sulemanki.

Rising toll 

Flood-related incidents have claimed at least 15 lives in Gujranwala division alone — five in Sialkot, four in Gujrat, three in Narowal, two in Hafizabad, and one in Gujranwala. Three people remain missing.

Authorities estimate:

• Over 150,000 people and 35,000 livestock evacuated.
• Nearly 600,000 people affected across Punjab.
• 769 villages submerged and millions of acres of farmland damaged.

The UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (UNOCHA) reported that monsoon-related deaths this year are nearly three times higher than last year.

Kartarpur Gurdwara submerged

In Narowal, floodwaters entered the historic Gurdwara Darbar Sahib Kartarpur, submerging its grounds. More than 150 Sikh pilgrims and staff trapped inside were rescued by emergency teams under the supervision of Federal Minister Ahsan Iqbal and provincial minister Ramesh Singh Arora.

Flooding also cut off several kilometers of the Narowal–Shakargarh road, isolating surrounding villages.

Displacement across Punjab

Floodwaters from the Ravi, Sutlej, and Chenab have spilled into multiple districts including Sheikhupura, Nankana Sahib, Okara, Tandlianwala tehsil of Faisalabad, and parts of Sahiwal.

In Nankana Sahib, villages such as Hira, Nawan Kot, and Khizra Abad are submerged.

In Okara, Jandran Kalan town — home to over 30,000 people — has been inundated.

In Faisalabad, officials warn over 100 settlements in Tandlianwala may be hit.

Relief operations are ongoing, with 263 relief camps and 161 medical camps established. Food supplies, medical aid, and temporary shelters are being provided.

Govt response

Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz confirmed the release of Rs900 million for emergency relief, stressing that all departments remain on high alert. She directed the immediate evacuation of at-risk populations.

Rescue 1122 reported that nearly 40,000 people have been moved to safety from Sialkot, Sargodha, Chiniot, Gujranwala, Nankana Sahib, Lahore, Narowal, Kasur, Okara, Bahawalnagar, Bahawalpur, and Lodhran.

Input from Samaa News website.