Chenab River swells, NDMA warns of critical 48 hours

The National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) on Saturday warned of rising flood risk across several parts of Pakistan as monsoon rains continue to swell rivers and streams, with medium-level flooding reported at key points along the Chenab River and flash flood alerts issued for northern Balochistan, Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa (K-P) and the hill torrents of Dera Ghazi Khan over the next 24 to 48 hours.

According to the NDMA National Emergencies Operation Centre (NEOC), medium-level flooding was recorded at Khanki, Qadirabad and Chiniot Bridge on the Chenab River, while the Palkhu Nullah at Wazirabad was also flowing at a medium flood level.

Read: Chenab in high flood at Head Marala

Low-level flooding persisted at Kalabagh, Chashma and Taunsa on the Indus River; Marala and Trimmu on the Chenab River; Balloki and Sidhnai on the Ravi River; and Nowshera on the Kabul River. Low flood conditions were also reported at Nullahs Aik and Palkhu.

The authority said water flows in the Chenab River were expected to increase further during the next 24 hours at Marala, Khanki, Qadirabad and Chiniot Bridge.

Meanwhile, water level at Trimmu Barrage was also likely to rise to a medium flood level during the same period.

The NDMA warned of possible flash floods in the hill torrents of Dera Ghazi Khan, seasonal streams in K-P and parts of northern Balochistan over the next two days.

The authority said urban flooding risk was forecasted for Gujranwala, Mandi Bahauddin, Sialkot, Narowal, Faisalabad, Sargodha, Jhang, Multan, Hafizabad and Lahore as heavy monsoon rains continue.

It advised the public to avoid unnecessary travel to flood-affected areas and urged motorists to check weather forecasts and road conditions before setting out.

Read more: Sindh prepared to face monsoon: Sharjeel

The NDMA directed all relevant departments to maintain continuous monitoring of vulnerable locations, keep emergency response teams on standby and ensure the immediate restoration of roads in case of closures.

The authority also cautioned that landslides, debris flows and sudden flash floods remained “major threats in the mountainous regions” during the monsoon season.

“Citizens are advised not to stop near riverbanks, steep slopes or narrow mountain passages vulnerable to rockfalls and landslides,” the NDMA emphasised, adding that people must not cross flooded roads, streams or fast-moving water on foot or in vehicles as “even shallow flowing water can sweep away people and vehicles”.

It placed all provincial and district authorities on alert and advised citizens to stay updated through the Pak NDMA Disaster Alert mobile application for timely warnings and emergency information.

Meanwhile, the Pakistan Meteorological Department also warned about pluvial floods in a thread on X.

Another post shared on X said, “River Chenab at Khanki, Qadirabad and Chiniot Bridge in medium flood level. Southeastern Sindh may face pluvial flooding in the next 24–36 hours, while flash flooding is expected in hill torrents of DG Khan and northeastern Balochistan.”

The post also shared the weekly weather outlook in the attachment.