Severe flooding in Punjab has been triggered by India’s release of water from overflowing dams on rivers that flow into Pakistan, notably the Ravi River.
In response, the Punjab government has requested deployment of military forces in at least six districts—Lahore, Kasur, Sialkot, Faisalabad, Narowal, and Okara—to support civil administration in rescue, evacuation, and relief operations amid an “exceptionally high” flood risk.
The military’s role includes reinforcing embankments, aiding emergency evacuations, and providing logistical support. The flooding situation is critical, with major rivers crossing danger levels and widespread evacuations underway to protect lives and property.
Flooding Cause and Situation
Punjab’s flooding crisis primarily stems from heavy monsoon rains combined with India’s release of excess water from Thein Dam and likely Madhopur Dam on the Ravi River, raising floodwaters in bordering districts. This has led to overflowing rivers including the Ravi, Chenab, and Sutlej, with discharges at record or near-record levels reminiscent of the devastating 2014 floods.
According to the National Emergencies Operation Centre (NEOC), rivers Chenab, Ravi, and Sutlej are facing an extraordinary flood situation.
The NEOC reported that at Marala on the Chenab River, an extremely high flood of 769,481 cusecs could advance further downstream, while at Khanki, a flow of 705,225 cusecs is gradually receding.
At Shahdara on the Ravi River, water flow has reached 72,900 cusecs, posing a flood threat to nearby low-lying areas including Shahdara, Park View, and Motorway-2.
The Sutlej River remains under severe stress, with 245,000 cusecs of very high floodwaters at Ganda Singh Wala, and a flow of 101,355 cusecs continuing at Head Sulemanki.
Government and Military Response
District administrations in the affected areas had urgently requested military aid to bolster rescue efforts. The Punjab Home Department formally approached Pakistan’s Federal Ministry of Interior for army deployment. Army troops, including aviation units, are being mobilized in close consultation with district officials to ensure timely emergency evacuation and relief logistics. Civil Defence, Rescue 1122, and police are actively engaged alongside the military.
Affected Districts
The districts explicitly mentioned for military deployment and active flood response include Lahore, Kasur, Sialkot, Faisalabad, Narowal, Okara, and also Sargodha. These are areas facing severe flood impacts and where swift action is critical to protect communities.
Impact and Evacuations
More than 150,000 people in Punjab have been evacuated so far from low-lying and vulnerable villages near the swollen rivers. Immediate evacuations have been directed in high-risk zones such as Khanki and surrounding villages. Flooding has submerged neighborhoods, cut off villages by damaging infrastructure, and placed thousands at imminent risk.