Lahore is grappling with severe flooding in 2025 as water levels in the Ravi River have surged to their highest recorded levels since 1988. The flood waters from the Ravi River has entered the suburban areas of the city.
According to the Director General of Punjab Disaster Management Authority (DG PDMA), the river’s flow at Shahdara has peaked at over 210,000 cusecs, nearing the river’s designed capacity and causing widespread inundation in several city localities including Shafiqabad, Farrukhabad, and Tallat Park.
This increase is mainly attributed to heavy monsoon rains coupled with the release of surplus water from dams in India, particularly the fully opened gates of Thein Dam on the Ravi River. The National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) issued high flood alerts for the Ravi River, warning residents to stay away from rivers, drains, and low-lying areas while advising agencies to remain on high alert.
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Punjab, home to over half of Pakistan’s population, has seen mass evacuations with over one million people displaced due to flood threats from the Ravi, Sutlej, and Chenab rivers. Approximately 200,000 individuals have been relocated amid efforts by authorities and the military to conduct rescue operations and provide relief to affected communities. Floodwaters have disrupted daily life with many neighborhoods submerged under several feet of water, impacting infrastructure, homes, and livelihoods.
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif emphasized the federal government’s full cooperation with regional authorities in flood response and mitigation efforts, underscoring the urgency of addressing climate change impacts exacerbated by record monsoon rainfall and glacier melt. Health concerns such as skin infections, malaria, and fever cases have risen in flood-hit areas, requiring urgent medical and humanitarian attention.
Authorities continue to monitor the situation closely as active monsoon conditions are expected to persist into September, with ongoing high flood risks in multiple rivers. Precautionary evacuations and deployment of rescue teams remain essential to minimize further loss and aid affected residents.
This 2025 flood crisis highlights Pakistan’s vulnerability to climate-related disasters and the critical need for strengthened flood management and infrastructure resilience in Punjab and other vulnerable regions