River levels across Sindh remained elevated on Saturday, prompting authorities to stay vigilant and maintain flood-preparedness measures. The alert follows torrential monsoon rains that wreaked havoc in Punjab, submerging villages, destroying crops, and displacing thousands of residents.
Widespread flooding in Punjab’s major rivers has affected over 4.5 million people, with officials calling it the province’s largest-ever rescue and relief operation.
According to the Provincial Disaster Management Authority (PDMA), flooding in the Ravi, Sutlej, and Chenab rivers has inundated more than 4,700 villages.
At least 101 people have lost their lives in flood-related incidents across Punjab, while nearly 2.5 million residents have been relocated.
Authorities have also moved more than two million livestock to safer areas.
Relief Commissioner Nabeel Javed said that 392 relief camps, 493 medical camps, and 422 veterinary units are operating throughout the province.
“We are working around the clock to provide shelter, food, and medical assistance to affected families,” he told reporters.
On Saturday, the provincial rain and flood emergency monitoring cell reported elevated flows at key barrages.
Guddu Barrage recorded a high flood, with inflows at 544,658 cusecs and outflows at 514,051 cusecs.
Sukkur Barrage registered a medium flood with 470,580 cusecs inflow.
Kotri Barrage saw a low flood with 262,509 cusecs inflow.
Panjnad recorded inflow and outflow at 575,195 cusecs.
Army and civil administration teams also inspected vulnerable areas in Dadu, Jamshoro, Sukkur, and Guddu, where embankment strengthening and preventive works are underway.
Army-run medical camps are providing free treatment to residents and will remain active if flooding occurs.
Record water levels
The PDMA reported extremely high flood levels at key points.
At Head Punjnad, water flow reached 575,000 cusecs, while levels at Head Muhammadwala rose to 410.5 feet against a danger mark of 417.5 feet.
At Sher Shah Bridge, water peaked at 392.7 feet, close to the critical threshold of 393.5 feet.
Officials expect flows at these sites to recede in the next 48 hours.
The Ravi at Head Sidhnai experienced medium-level flooding, while the Sutlej at Ganda Singh Wala and Sulaimanki remains at low flood levels.
Rainfall has ceased in upper catchment areas, allowing rivers elsewhere to begin returning to normal.
On the Indus, the Guddu Barrage recorded high flood levels with a discharge of 561,000 cusecs, while Sukkur Barrage registered medium flooding with 472,000 cusecs. Kotri Barrage is experiencing low flood levels.
PDMA Director General Irfan Ali Kathia called the situation historic.
“For the first time in Punjab’s history, all major rivers witnessed flooding simultaneously,” he said, adding that Ali Pur and Jalalpur Pirwala are no longer under immediate threat.
Kathia said more than 28 districts and thousands of settlements were inundated at the peak of flooding. “This is Punjab’s largest rescue operation.
Over 2.5 million people have been evacuated, and five helicopters have been operating continuously in Multan and Rahim Yar Khan regions for the past 72 hours,” he said.
In an unprecedented move, he highlighted, Punjab has deployed airlift drones to deliver emergency supplies to hard-to-reach areas.
