Flood alert: all flights have been suspended at Sialkot International Airport

Flight operations at Sialkot International Airport have been suspended from 10 AM to 10 PM today (Thursday) following a Notice to Airmen (NOTAM) was issued in response to floodwaters approaching the airport.

According to a spokesperson for the airport, the suspension affects all types of flights and will remain in effect until the floodwaters are fully drained. The floodwaters are advancing from the southern side and have crossed the protective dam, entering the southern part of the airport.

Authorities have also mobilised manpower and machinery to manage the situation. Dewatering efforts are ongoing using pumps and other equipment, the spokesperson added. The central part of the airport, including the terminal building, parking area, and runway, remains unaffected. All installed airport equipment is reported to be safe as well.

The Sialkot district administration has said that all available resources are being used to ensure timely drainage of floodwater.

The Pakistan Meteorological Department (PMD) has said that rain in Sialkot has broken 49-year record, and has forecast even more rain in the coming days.

PMD said, 363.5 mm of rainfall was recorded within 24 hours, which is the highest rainfall since 1976. Before this, the heaviest rain in Sialkot was recorded on August 6, 1976, at 339.7 mm of rainfall.

When India released water in the Ravi, Chenab and Sutlej, the situation worsened and many areas were submerged, forcing citizens to move to safer places.

Severe flooding in Sialkot has also forced the closure of all educational institutions today. Yesterday, The government issued a notification urging all concerned authorities to strictly enforce the order for the safety of the public.

Meanwhile, the Guna Bridge in Pasrur on the Sialkot Road collapsed due to flood damage, severing the land connection between Sialkot and Pasrur.

The flood situation is critical in Punjab, with several rivers and streams experiencing high water levels. The Provincial Disaster Management Authority (PDMA) reported that the Chenab River at Head Marala is at a high flood stage, with inflow reaching 397,000 cubic feet per second (cusecs) and discharge recorded at around 390,000 cusecs.