The water level in the Ravi River has surged significantly at Shahdara and Baloki, triggering an exceptionally high flood situation and forcing authorities to begin emergency evacuations. The rising waters have inundated a private housing society near Chuhang on Multan Road, while several neighborhoods in Shahdara, including Farrukhabad and Aziz Colony, are facing flooding. Local residents in the affected areas have reported severe disruptions as floodwater enters homes and streets.

Authorities have begun evacuating residents from vulnerable houses, and announcements are being made through local mosques, urging people to move to safer locations. According to the administration, two schools in Farrukhabad have been converted into relief camps, with food and basic facilities being arranged for displaced families.However, some residents are still stranded near the breached sections of the embankment, along with their livestock, awaiting assistance.

The Flood Forecasting Division has confirmed that a very high-level flood is underway at the Siphon point of Shahdara. The water flow at this location has surged, reaching a current volume of 215,550 cusecs. Emergency teams remain on high alert, while relief efforts continue in the affected zones.A fresh alert has been issued for the Chenab and Ravi rivers as water released by India will enter this evening. According to Punjab’s Flood Forecasting Department water will reach Head Trimmu on the Chenab River in the evening causing extremely high-level flood.

Another extreme flood surge is forecasted to reach Head Panjnad on September 2.The Ravi River has also caused destruction in Narang Mandi, where thousands of acres of agricultural land have been devastated. Due to the disruption of the communication system, many villages and settlements have been cut off from land routes.Floodwaters from the Ravi River have also entered the Badami Bagh area adjacent to the Ring Road. Chuhang has been submerged forcing people to relocate.

Floodwaters also reached several areas including Manzoor Garden, Barkat Colony, and Manawan. Farukhabad, Aziz Colony, Amin Park, Afghan Colony, and Shafiqabad have also gone underwater. The city administration has claimed that it is ensuring the evacuation of residents from these areas.Several villages in Narowal have been submerged, with standing crops on thousands of acres of land destroyed. The Shakargarh-Narowal Road has also gone underwater, while the railway track in Qila Ahmadabad has been closed due to flood.

In the Lalian tehsil of Chiniot, the protective embankment of Mauza Kalri developed a breach as a result of which more than a hundred villages were inundated. In Chiniot, a flood surge of more than 853,000 cusecs is passing through.In Sahiwal, a breach has started to form in the Aurangabad embankment. The nearby settlements have come under threat from the rising waters, and the administration has instructed residents to move to safer locations.

Credit: Independent News Pakistan (INP)