Chenab Flood Alert Rises as Heavy Rain Threatens Punjab
LAHORE: Authorities have warned that the Chenab River may rise sharply in the coming days as continuing rainfall over Indian-occupied Kashmir and fresh heavy showers in Punjab feed major river catchments. The alert, issued late Monday, has placed flood-prone districts, local administrations and emergency services on watch as monsoon conditions intensify across northern and central Pakistan.
The river is already moving through a medium-flood situation, but irrigation officials believe the flow could climb further if the forecasted rain spell continues. A senior Punjab Irrigation Department official said the next three to four days would be crucial because heavy rainfall over upstream catchments can quickly increase downstream pressure at key control points.
The Pakistan Meteorological Department’s Flood Forecasting Division also warned of rising flows in major rivers until July 24. Its bulletin pointed to a combination of a westerly wave and strong monsoon moisture entering from the Arabian Sea and the Bay of Bengal, creating conditions for significant increases in river levels across several catchment areas.
Officials highlighted the Chenab at Marala as one of the key locations where high flood levels could develop. The warning also covered the Jhelum upstream of Mangla and associated nullahs of the Jhelum, Chenab and Ravi systems, including streams such as Bhimber, Aik, Palkhu, Bein, Deg and Sakki, where sudden runoff can create dangerous local flooding.
The Flood Forecasting Division further cautioned that flash flooding may occur in the hill torrents of Dera Ghazi Khan, parts of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and northern Balochistan. Urban flooding was also forecast for several Punjab cities, including Rawalpindi, Jhelum, Gujranwala, Sargodha, Sialkot, Gujrat, Narowal, Lahore, Sahiwal, Bahawalnagar and Faisalabad.
The latest advisory comes during a sensitive phase of Pakistan’s monsoon season, when high river flows, saturated soil and intense cloudbursts can rapidly turn into emergencies. Communities living near riverbanks, nullahs and low-lying settlements are often the first to face the impact, while transport links, crops, livestock and small businesses can also be disrupted by sudden water surges.
Water data cited in the report showed the Indus system flowing at low or below-low levels at several stations, including Tarbela, Kalabagh, Chashma, Taunsa, Guddu, Sukkur and Kotri. The Jhelum was reported at low to medium flood at Mangla and Rasul, while the Chenab was already at medium to high flood levels at Marala, Khanki and Qadirabad.
According to the Water and Power Development Authority’s daily figures, inflows and outflows in the Indus at Tarbela stood at 232,500 cusecs and 210,000 cusecs, respectively. At Mangla on the Jhelum, inflows were recorded at 57,400 cusecs while outflows stood at 10,000 cusecs, reflecting continued monitoring of upstream reservoirs and downstream releases.
For Punjab and adjoining regions, the warning carries serious implications for disaster management, agriculture and public safety. Timely coordination between irrigation departments, district administrations, rescue services and local communities will be essential to prevent casualties, protect vulnerable settlements and reduce damage to standing crops and infrastructure.
Authorities are expected to monitor river gauges and rainfall patterns closely through July 24. Residents in at-risk areas have been urged to follow official advisories, avoid unnecessary movement near rivers and nullahs, and prepare for evacuation instructions if water levels rise beyond safe limits during the ongoing monsoon spell.