“Unprecedented floods": controlled blast creates breach near Head Qadirabad on Chenab

Lahore: Based on new information provided by the Indian High Commission regarding floods, the Indus Water Commission has issued flood alerts at various points along the Chenab and Ravi rivers.

Following the release of water by India, the Chenab River is experiencing a flood situation. The district administration carried out a controlled blast near Head Qadirabad in Gujranwala to create a breach.

At Trimmu Headworks in Jhang, the water level in the Chenab continues to rise. The inflow at Trimmu has reached 63,034 cusecs, while the outflow stands at 51,834 cusecs.

According to the district administration, around 412 villages across the district are at risk of flooding. Residents of riverine areas have been instructed to evacuate along with their livestock, with announcements being made in mosques to ensure timely relocation.

Deputy Commissioner Ali Akbar Bhinder stated that 18 flood relief camps have been established by the district administration, while Rescue 1122 has set up an additional 27 relief camps.

Speaking to the media, Director General PDMA Irfan Ali Kathia said that after 38 years, rivers have reached such high levels of water. He confirmed that a major flood wave passed through Shahdara tonight.

According to him, this is the largest volume of water to enter the Ravi River since 1988. He appealed to people living along the riverbanks to evacuate, warning that a massive flood wave will pass through the Ravi within the next two to three days.

A significant flood wave is expected to pass Shahdara between 10 p.m. and midnight tonight. “It will indeed be a challenge,” he said, “but all precautionary measures have been taken. We are hopeful that there will be no loss of life.”

He further reported that the water flow at Jassar on the Ravi River has reached 240,000 cusecs. Last night, both the Chenab and Ravi experienced medium-level floods, while Khanqah Headworks is currently witnessing a major surge. After more than a decade, the Chenab River has once again faced a high-level flood.

The DG PDMA emphasized that timely measures have prevented any loss of life in Punjab. However, he cautioned that the flood will remain a challenge for the province until it passes Rahim Yar Khan, though no major damage to infrastructure is expected.