Wazirabad Inundated After Chenab Floods
Wazirabad, a key industrial city in Punjab’s Gujranwala district, has been severely affected after torrential floods in the River Chenab triggered an overflow of the Palkhu Nullah. The sudden surge of water entered residential and commercial areas, leaving large parts of the city submerged.
According to local residents, floodwaters swept through Sialkot Road and adjoining neighborhoods, inundating homes, shops, and small businesses. Many families were forced to evacuate, leaving behind possessions. Daily life has come to a halt as transport links, schools, and markets remain disrupted.
Palkhu Nullah Exceeds Capacity
Deputy Commissioner Gujranwala confirmed that the Palkhu Nullah, a tributary prone to seasonal flooding, was the main source of water entering the city. While the channel’s maximum capacity is around 26,000 cusecs, it received over 35,000 cusecs in the past 24 hours, causing embankments to break.
The authorities said emergency teams were dispatched immediately. Affected residents were moved to safer ground, and relief camps have been set up. Officials added that food, clean water, and medicines are being distributed at these camps to assist displaced families.
Chenab Embankment Breaches Near Rasulnagar
Meanwhile, the River Chenab has created additional challenges for downstream districts. A breach was reported near Rasulnagar, raising fears of wider flooding. Authorities have even sought additional resources, with calls for army air support to strengthen ongoing rescue efforts.
The Irrigation Department confirmed that local communities, alongside district administration, are working to reinforce the embankment to prevent further damage.
To manage the heavy water flow, two deliberate cuts were introduced in embankments near Mandi Bahauddin and Ali Pur Chattha. Officials say these controlled breaches are intended to reduce pressure on the main dykes, though they have already caused significant inundation of agricultural land.
Rising Threat Along the Ravi River
The Flood Forecasting Division (FFD) has issued fresh warnings about the River Ravi, where water levels have reached near-historic highs. At Jassar, authorities reported water levels unseen since 1955, while at Shahdara, the volume is the highest since 1988.
This has raised alarms for Lahore and its surrounding low-lying districts, where authorities fear urban flooding if rain continues in the catchment areas. Disaster management officials have placed emergency teams on standby and urged residents to remain vigilant.
Historical Context and Regional Impact
Flooding is a recurring threat in Punjab, Pakistan’s most densely populated province. The Chenab, Ravi, and Jhelum rivers—all tributaries of the Indus—often overflow during the monsoon season, placing millions at risk.
Past floods have caused heavy damage. In 2014, flooding along the Chenab displaced nearly 1.5 million people in Punjab, while in 2010, Pakistan witnessed its worst flood in living memory, when nearly 20 million people were affected nationwide.
Experts say the current situation resembles previous flood patterns, although better forecasting and improved early warning systems have helped minimize casualties. Still, infrastructure limitations and weak embankments remain critical vulnerabilities.
Calls for Caution and Cooperation
Disaster management experts warn that the coming days could see worsening conditions as upstream rainfall continues. Residents in flood-prone areas have been urged to evacuate early, secure belongings, and avoid unnecessary travel.
Local authorities have also appealed for community cooperation, stressing that collective action is crucial for preventing loss of life. Aid agencies, meanwhile, have requested additional support to expand relief operations.
Outlook
Meteorological departments predict heavy rainfall in northern Pakistan and Indian-administered Jammu and Kashmir over the next week. This could further swell the Chenab and Ravi rivers, adding pressure on Punjab’s already fragile flood defenses.
With thousands displaced and critical farmland under water, the region faces a dual crisis—immediate humanitarian needs and longer-term economic disruption. Officials emphasize that sustained vigilance and rapid relief measures are essential in containing the damage.
