PDMA Confirms 30 Deaths, Over 1.5 Million People Affected A
The Provincial Disaster Management Authority (PDMA) Punjab on Friday released a detailed report on the devastation caused by floods in the Ravi, Sutlej, and Chenab rivers, confirming that at least 30 people have drowned so far.
Relief Commissioner Punjab, Nabeel Javed, said the floods have impacted over 1.516 million people and submerged 2,308 villages, while nearly 481,000 stranded people have been relocated to safer areas.
He added that 511 relief camps, 351 medical camps, and 321 veterinary camps have been established in flood-hit districts, where rescue teams have also moved 405,000 livestock to safety.
According to PDMA, extremely high flood levels are expected to persist in the Sutlej, Ravi, and Chenab rivers until September 3, due to heavy monsoon pressure over northern Madhya Pradesh, which may trigger intense rainfall in the upper catchment areas of Sutlej, Beas, and Ravi.
- At Ganda Singh Wala on Sutlej, water flow has reached 303,000 cusecs, with further rise expected.
- At Trimmo on Chenab, extraordinary flood levels may develop within 24 hours.
- On September 3, very high flooding is forecast at Panjnad on Chenab.
Water flows recorded:
- Chenab at Marala – 111,000 cusecs
- Chenab at Khanki – 170,000 cusecs
- Chenab at Qadirabad – 171,000 cusecs
- Chenab at Trimmo – 146,000 cusecs (rising)
- Ravi at Jassar – 78,000 cusecs
- Ravi at Shahdara – 138,000 cusecs (falling)
- Ravi at Balloki – 199,000 cusecs (rising)
- Ravi at Sidhnai – 32,000 inflow / 18,000 outflow cusecs
Meanwhile, major reservoirs are nearly at full capacity: Mangla Dam (80%), Tarbela Dam (100%), India’s Bhakra Dam (84%), Pong Dam (94%), and Thein Dam (92%).
Nabeel Javed also confirmed that two additional deaths were reported in Lahore due to lightning strikes. He assured that under Chief Minister Punjab’s directives, losses suffered by citizens and farmers will be compensated.
PDMA Director General Irfan Ali Kathia further detailed the impact:
- Chenab River: 1,179 villages and 966,000 people affected
- Ravi River: 478 villages and 232,000 people affected
- Sutlej River: 391 villages and 313,000 people affected
He warned that the number of victims may rise further in the coming days as floodwaters continue to surge.