Key Points
- ADB announces $3m emergency grant
- India releases water into Jhelum River
- NDMA warns of ‘exceptionally high’ flood risk in Indus River
- Ninth spell of monsoon rains begins
ISLAMABAD: The death toll from devastating floods in Pakistan’s Punjab province has risen to 25 as large swathes of land remained submerged amid monsoon rain.
This week, overflowing rivers in Punjab have inundated 1,692 villages, displacing over 1.46 million people. Since the start of the monsoon season in June, the nationwide death toll has risen to over 820.
ADB announces $3m emergency grant
Asian Development Bank (ADB) President Masato Kanda has announced that the organisation is prepared to offer a $3 million grant to support flood relief efforts in Pakistan, pending a formal request from the federal government.
According to a press release, the funding will be drawn from ADB’s Asia Pacific Disaster Response Fund to assist ongoing relief operations.
“Pakistan is facing severe flooding that has displaced numerous families and communities, and ADB stands in solidarity with the country during this crisis,” said Kanda, who is currently on a three-day visit to Pakistan.
“When disasters strike, we act swiftly to support communities in rebuilding their lives with dignity. This emergency assistance reflects our strong and ongoing commitment to the people of Pakistan, addressing both immediate humanitarian needs and long-term development goals,” he added.
Heavy rains forecast for Gujranwala, Lahore, Gujrat divisions
The National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) on Friday forecast heavy rains in Gujranwala, Lahore and Gujrat divisions over the next 12 to 18 hours.
گجرانوالہ، لاہور اور گجرات ڈویژن کے سیلاب متاثرہ علاقوں میں اگلے 12تا18گھنٹوں تک شدید بارشوں کا امکان. یہ بارشیں موجودہ سیلابی صورتحال کو مزید خراب کر سکتی ہیں،کیونکہ دریائے ستلج، راوی اور چناب میں غیر معمولی بلند پانی کا بہاؤ برقرار ہے۔ محتاط رہیں،انتظامیہ کی ہدایات پر عمل کریں۔ pic.twitter.com/2AB8gKjQmP
— NDMA PAKISTAN (@ndmapk) August 29, 2025
According to an alert issued by NDMA’s National Emergencies Operation Centre, heavy rains are likely to hit already flood-affected areas of Gujranwala, Lahore and Gujrat divisions.
The fresh rain spell may worsen the existing flood situation as Sutlej, Ravi and Chenab rivers are already flowing at an alarmingly high level.
The NDMA in its latest alert has advised people to stay away from rivers, streams and drains, avoid unnecessary travel, ensure safety measures, follow the instructions of the administration and stay away from power lines and areas where water collects.
India releases water into Jhelum River
Meanwhile, India has released water from its dams into the Jhelum River, which originates in Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IIOJK) and flows into Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK).
Just a day earlier, the release of water from Indian dams into the Ravi, Chenab, and Sutlej rivers had led to widespread flooding across Punjab.
According to a statement by the State Disaster Management Authority (SDMA), the surge released by India entered AJK at Chakothi, near the Line of Control (LoC).
As a result of this release, the water level in the Jhelum River has risen significantly in Muzaffarabad, the statement added.
NDMA warns of ‘exceptionally high’ flood risk in Indus River
The National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) warned of an exceptionally high flood situation developing in the Indus River, cautioning that flows could reach up to 1.2 million cusecs in the coming days.
پیشگی اطلاع: دریائے سندھ میں بھی شدید سیلابی صورتحال کا خطرہ:
3 تا 4 ستمبر تک 9 لاکھ سے 9.5 لاکھ کیوسک ریلے پنجند ہیڈ ورکس سے گزریں گے۔گڈوبیراج پر 5/ 6 ستمبر تک 8 تا 11 لاکھ کیوسک بہاؤ متوقع۔ جوانتہائی اونچے درجے کی سیلابی صورتحال پیدا کرے گا۔ pic.twitter.com/Yz0nhML9DI
— NDMA PAKISTAN (@ndmapk) August 29, 2025
According to NDMA, between September 3 and 4, flows ranging from 900,000 to 950,000 cusecs are expected to pass through Panjnad Headworks. In case of embankment breaches or diversions, flows may surge between 825,000 and 900,000 cusecs.
Unprecedented flood levels in Sutlej River
The National Disaster Management Authority has warned that the Ganda Singh Wala barrage on the Sutlej River is experiencing “unprecedented flood levels”, registering water flow of over 350,000 cusecs and rising.
“The flow may increase further due to rain and potential floodwater releases from India,” the authority said in a post on X. “Authorities and rescue agencies are on high alert. The public is urged to follow the instructions of [the] local administration.”
ہنگامی اطلاع ; ستلج دریا میں گنڈا سنگھ والا میں غیر معمولی سطح کا سیلاب،بہاؤ 3.5 لاکھ کیوسک سے تجاوز کر گیا.بارشوں اور بھارت کیجانب ممکنہ سیلابی ریلوں کے اخراج سے بہاؤ مزید بڑھ سکتا ہے۔انتظامیہ اور ریسکیو ادارے ہائی الرٹ ہیں۔عوام مقامی انتظامیہ کی ہدایات پر عمل کریں۔ pic.twitter.com/cFXskrVkKy
— NDMA PAKISTAN (@ndmapk) August 29, 2025
Rainfall alert for Ravi River
The NDMA has also issued an alert for the Ravi River from Aug 30 to Sept 3.
It said that the river was expected to overflow “due to heavy rainfall in the upper catchment areas and increased water discharge from the Thein Dam”.
“The water flow at Balloki on the Ravi River is currently 146,995 cusecs and rising,” the NDMA said, adding that the increase in discharge was expected to raise the water level downstream and subsequently flow toward Sidhnai.
Ninth spell of monsoon rains begins
According to a statement from the Punjab Provincial Disaster Management Authority (PDMA) the ninth spell of monsoon rains began, as heavy rains were forecasted till Sept 2.
According to a statement from the Punjab Provincial Disaster Management Authority (PDMA) the ninth spell of monsoon rains began, as heavy rains were forecasted till Sept 2.
The rains are predicted in Rawalpindi, Murree, Galiat, Attock, Chakwal, Jhelum, Gujranwala, Lahore, Gujrat, Sialkot, Narowal, Hafizabad, Mandi Bahauddin, Okara, Sahiwal, Kasur, Jhang, Sargodha, Mianwali, Dera Ghazi Khan, Multan, and Rajanpur, the PDMA spokesperson said.
Punjab Relief Commissioner Nabeel Javed instructed officials and provincial authorities to remain alert, the statement added.
