ISLAMABAD – As relentless monsoon rains continue to pound Pakistan, Chenab River is swelling rapidly, prompting fresh flood fears. With medium-level flooding already recorded at key locations, authorities warn that the river could rise even further in the coming hours, putting nearby communities on high alert.
According to the latest river flow data, Qadirabad Barrage recorded an inflow of 172,069 cusecs and an outflow of 162,893 cusecs, placing it in the medium flood category. Chiniot also remained at medium flood level, with both inflow and outflow measured at 162,746 cusecs.
At Marala Barrage, the river carried 126,272 cusecs of inflow and 115,785 cusecs of outflow, remaining in the low flood category. Khanki Barrage also continued at low flood level, recording an inflow of 138,745 cusecs and an outflow of 133,765 cusecs.
Further downstream, Trimmu Barrage remained under low flood conditions with an inflow of 193,809 cusecs and an outflow of 185,709 cusecs, while Panjnad Barrage recorded 105,605 cusecs of inflow and 90,855 cusecs of outflow, remaining within the normal range.
NDMA’s National Emergencies Operation Center (NEOC) said medium-level flooding has already been recorded at Khanki, Qadirabad, and Chiniot Bridge on the Chenab River, while Palkhu Nala in Wazirabad is also flowing at a medium flood level, signaling an escalating flood situation.
The authority said low-level flooding continues at several key locations, including Kalabagh, Chashma and Taunsa on the Indus River; Marala and Trimmu on the Chenab River; Balloki and Sidhnai on the Ravi River; and Nowshera on the Kabul River. Water levels at Nullah Aik and Palkhu Nala Cantt Bridge have also reached low flood levels.
Authorities have also sounded the alarm over the risk of flash floods in the hill torrents of Dera Ghazi Khan, seasonal streams across Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, and parts of northern Balochistan during the next 24 to 48 hours.
Heavy monsoon rains have further heightened the threat of urban flooding in Gujranwala, Mandi Bahauddin, Sialkot, Narowal, Faisalabad, Sargodha, Jhang, Multan, Hafizabad and Lahore, where drainage systems could come under severe pressure if rainfall persists.
The disaster management authority urged citizens to avoid unnecessary travel to flood-hit areas and advised commuters to check weather forecasts and road conditions before setting out.
NDMA has directed federal, provincial and district administrations to keep vulnerable locations under constant surveillance, place rescue and relief teams on high alert, and ensure the immediate reopening of roads in case of closures caused by flooding.
It also cautioned that landslides, debris flows and sudden flash floods remain a serious threat in mountainous regions throughout the monsoon season, urging people to stay away from riverbanks, steep slopes and narrow mountain roads.
NDMA has advised citizens to stay updated through the Pak NDMA Disaster Alert mobile application for real-time weather warnings, emergency alerts and safety advisories.
Monsoon rains cause deaths, urban flooding and weather alerts across Pakistan
