Pakistan is bracing for a major humanitarian crisis as rivers Sutlej, Ravi, and Chenab continue to swell dangerously, prompting authorities to issue a Punjab flood alert 2025.

Officials confirmed on Monday that the Indian High Commissioner in Islamabad has contacted Pakistani authorities after warnings of heavy water inflows from across the border.

According to the Joint Commissioner Indus Water, massive discharges from India’s Harike and Ferozepur headworks are heading towards Pakistan, raising fears of unprecedented flooding in the Sutlej River. A formal briefing was given to the Indian envoy, while provincial chief secretaries and disaster management officials have also been alerted.

At Head Trimmu, the Chenab River recorded an alarming inflow of 479,000 cusecs, placing it in the “extremely high flood” category. Authorities responded by halting all traffic at Head Trimmu, while disaster management teams warned that the flow could surge to 700,000 cusecs by evening, endangering Jhang, Multan, and Muzaffargarh.

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The Punjab Provincial Disaster Management Authority (PDMA) confirmed that a “very high” level of flooding is already being witnessed in Sutlej and Chenab, particularly at Ganda Singh Wala and Trimmu Headworks. Meanwhile, water levels in the Ravi River are also rising, with the situation expected to persist until at least September 5.

The disaster has already forced thousands from their homes, submerging hundreds of villages and destroying vast areas of farmland. According to official figures, at least 33 people have died, while over 2 million residents have been affected. Rescue teams from the PDMA, Rescue 1122, and Pakistan Army continue large-scale evacuation efforts.

Relief Commissioner Punjab Nabeel Javed said the province is running its largest-ever rescue mission, with 506 relief camps and 352 medical camps set up in flood-hit areas. More than 17,000 patients have been treated, while over 500,000 cattle have been moved to safer locations.

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Officials also confirmed that dynamite has been placed at embankments in certain locations to create controlled breaches if needed, aiming to divert floodwaters away from densely populated zones.

The Pakistan Meteorological Department has forecast heavy rains in the upper catchments of the Sutlej and Ravi between September 1–3. Urban flooding is feared in Lahore, Gujranwala, and Gujrat divisions, adding pressure on already stretched rescue services.

Authorities have pledged compensation for citizens and farmers suffering losses. For now, the Punjab flood alert 2025 remains in place as rescue teams race against time to minimize casualties and safeguard livelihoods in one of the worst flood threats in recent memory.