LAHORE: India has released water into the Sutlej River, prompting a high flood alert in Punjab as relentless rains and flooding wreak havoc across the province. Authorities warned that the second flood wave in the Chenab River is moving towards Head Muhammad Wala in Multan, where over 400 people have been rescued from Jalalpur Pirwala tehsil since early morning. Preparations are under way to breach the Shershah embankment to save Multan city.

Faisalabad recorded its heaviest rainfall in three decades, with Ghulam Muhammadabad receiving 184 mm and other localities reporting between 150–175 mm, submerging low-lying areas. Lahore also witnessed torrential downpours.

The Indian High Commissioner issued an alert at 8am for heavy flooding at Harike and Ferozepur, which was relayed to Pakistan’s Ministry of Water Resources. Hundreds of homes, villages, and crops have been submerged across Punjab, with Chenab River waters rising 5 to 10 feet in Multan’s riverine areas.

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In Khanewal’s Kabirwala tehsil, high-level flooding in the Ravi and Chenab rivers destroyed thousands of wheat sacks. Meanwhile, water levels at Guddu Barrage climbed to 443,494 cusecs, threatening Kashmore’s katcha areas and triggering mass displacement. Breaches along Korai Wah and Mahesro Wah near Pano Akil submerged hundreds of acres of crops.

Sindh’s PDMA warned that 200 villages and over 224,000 people are at risk as the flood wave from Punjab moves downstream through Guddu, Sukkur, and Sehwan. Embankments near Sukkur have weakened under pressure from rising waters.

Sindh Chief Minister Murad Ali Shah visited Guddu Barrage, while PPP Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari is also scheduled to inspect the site after touring Punjab’s flood-hit regions.