Tragic floods in Punjab claim at least 25 lives.

Punjab – (Special Correspondent / Web Desk) – Riverine floods have struck Punjab, claiming at least 25 lives. The disaster was caused by extremely heavy monsoon rains and water released from upstream.

In a heartbreaking event, five members of one family died in Sialkot’s Sambarial village. The Gujranwala division was hit hardest, reporting 15 deaths. Other areas like Gujrat, Narowal, and Hafizabad also lost lives.

The flooding has created havoc, submerging hundreds of villages across several districts. Thousands of people have been forced from their homes. Rushing waters also swept away livestock and ruined thousands of acres of ready-to-harvest crops. In Bahawalnagar, several houses were completely filled with floodwater.

Floodwater from the Chenab River entered dozens of villages in Chiniot and Wazirabad.

Punjab faces worst floods in decades after India releases water

According to the Flood Forecasting Division, the River Ravi at Shahdara, Punjab, has reached a dangerous level with a flow of around 145,000 cusecs, while at Jassar it recorded 152,000 cusecs.

The Lahore Commissioner stated that the peak flow has now passed, and the water level is expected to recede, adding that the city remains safe and under control.

In the River Chenab, extremely high floods were reported at Khanki and Qadirabad barrages, with water flows reaching 859,000 and 996,000 cusecs, respectively.

At Head Marala, the flow is around 191,000 cusecs.

Authorities have warned nearby areas to remain vigilant as the situation remains critical.

The River Sutlej is also in high flood at multiple points.

At Ganda Singh Wala, the inflow is around 261,000 cusecs, while at Head Sulemanki it is 109,000 cusecs.

In Chishtian, six protective embankments have broken due to strong currents, flooding more than 300 villages and destroying crops over 7,000 acres.

Local farmers have built an eight-kilometer-long embankment to protect homes, but officials warn that if it fails, up to 20,000 houses could be at risk.

In Bahawalnagar, the situation has worsened with over 105 villages affected and around 150,000 people hit by the floods.

Nearly 90,000 residents have been forced to leave their homes, while many areas remain cut off.

Raging waters also damaged temporary dikes, washing away houses and standing crops.