Rising water levels in the Ravi River have triggered large-scale evacuations in Lahore and surrounding districts, with officials warning of an extreme flood situation.Announcements were made through mosques on Thursday morning, urging residents in low-lying areas to move to safer ground with their families and livestock. Section 144 has been imposed to restrict movement in the flood-hit zones. 

At Shahdara, the Ravi’s water level surged to 151,000 cusecs and is expected to cross 200,000 cusecs within 12 hours, according to the Punjab Disaster Management Authority (PDMA). The river’s capacity is 250,000 cusecs, and preparations have been made to deal with further rise.Commissioner Lahore Asif Bilal Lodhi said evacuations from the riverbed have been completed and nearby villages are being cleared.

“So far, around 500 families have been shifted to relief camps,” he confirmed.The Provincial Disaster Management Authority (PDMA) has sounded a major alarm over the rising flood crisis in Punjab, warning that Qadirabad Headworks on the Chenab River is under severe pressure and at risk of collapse.Authorities fear that if the structure gives way, the districts of Hafizabad and Chiniot could face devastating consequences.

Credit: Independent News Pakistan (INP)