Large parts of Pakistan’s Punjab province have been submerged after heavy monsoon rains triggered flooding and drainage overflows, Dawn reported.
Explaining the rapid rise in water levels, the official said, “Let me tell you that the flow in the Ravi at Shahdara (Lahore) is 22,000 cusecs, whereas at Balloki (downstream) it has surged to 87,000 cusecs. The question is: where did the additional 65,000 cusecs come from? It is water flowing into the river through drains and rainfall.”
Pakistan also endured another devastating flood season in 2025, when relentless monsoon rains, flash floods and glacial lake outburst floods claimed more than 800 lives and affected over 1.2 million people, with estimated losses reaching $50 billion, according to ANI.
The country witnessed catastrophic floods in 2022, when more than 1,700 people were killed, millions displaced and economic losses estimated at around $40 billion. Dawn reported that deputy commissioners in Lahore, Gujranwala, Sheikhupura, Sialkot, Narowal, Khanewal and several other districts have been placed on high alert to monitor river flows, drainage systems and flood response operations. The latest flooding comes as Pakistan continues to grapple with increasingly severe monsoon seasons.
With additional rainfall forecast on Sunday, district administrations have stepped up preparedness measures.