High flood levels in River Chenab amid rainfall

PMD warns of high flows as rains threaten rivers surge

---

---

ISLAMABAD:

The Pakistan Meteorological Department (PMD) on Wednesday issued a high flood advisory for River Chenab, warning that high flood levels are expected to persist over the next six to eight hours before gradually receding as rainfall over the major catchments continues to decrease.

A strong monsoon incursion interacting with an approaching westerly wave is expected to affect the catchments of all major rivers during 22–24 July 2026. Widespread rainfall, including isolated heavy falls, is expected over Gilgit-Baltistan, Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa, Azad Jammu & Kashmir, Balochistan and Punjab. This may trigger rapid rises in river flows, flash flooding in hill torrents and seasonal streams, and urban flooding in vulnerable cities.

According to the Flood Forecasting Division of the PMD, heavy rainfall observed over the River Chenab catchment, along with hydrometeorological conditions and Sialkot weather radar data, has resulted in high flood conditions.

Although rainfall has now decreased across the major sub-catchments, river flows are expected to remain high for the next six to eight hours before gradually declining.

The advisory said River Chenab at Marala is expected to remain at a high flood level during the next six to eight hours, while water levels are likely to recede gradually thereafter if the current rainfall trend continues. It added that Khanki and Qadirabad are also expected to attain high flood levels during the next 10 to 18 hours.

The Flood Forecasting Division said it would continue close monitoring of hydrometeorological conditions, river flows and weather radar observations, and would issue updates if the situation changes.

Meanwhile, rising monsoon rains have increased water flows across Punjab's river network, prompting authorities to issue flood advisories as low- to medium-level flooding was reported at several locations, while residents living in vulnerable riverine areas were urged to move to safer places.

The Provincial Disaster Management Authority (PDMA) said the second spell of monsoon rains is expected to continue until July 24, warning that additional rainfall in the upper catchment areas could further increase river flows.

The authority reported low-level flooding in the Indus River at Kalabagh and Chashma, where water flows were recorded at 317,000 cusecs and 295,000 cusecs, respectively. Water levels in the Ravi, Sutlej and Jhelum rivers remain within normal limits, while Nallah Baein is also witnessing low-level flooding.

The Chenab River is also experiencing elevated flows, with low-level flooding at Marala and Qadirabad and medium-level flooding at Khanki. Water discharge was measured at 128,000 cusecs at Marala, 152,000 cusecs at Khanki and 157,000 cusecs at Qadirabad.

Also, the Indus River System Authority (Irsa) said it released 391,900 cusecs of water from various rim stations on Wednesday against a total inflow of 597,500 cusecs. Irsa data showed water releases of 284,200 cusecs at Kalabagh, 195,700 at Taunsa, 122,300 at Guddu and 53,000 cusecs at Sukkur.

Irsa also reported releases of 60,800 cusecs from the Kabul River at Nowshera and 122,800 cusecs from the Chenab River at Marala as authorities continued to monitor the evolving flood situation across the country.

Tarbela Dam's water level stood at 1,514.11 feet, 112.11 feet above its dead level of 1,402 feet, with inflow and outflow recorded at 306,700 and 181,400 cusecs, respectively. Mangla Dam's water level reached 1,181.60 feet, 131.60 feet above its dead level, receiving 90,300 cusecs and releasing 10,000 cusecs.

The monsoon and the Western Disturbance are the two main factors which alter the weather over Pakistan; continental air prevails for the rest of the year.

Western Disturbances mostly occur during the winter months and cause light to moderate showers in southern parts of the country while moderate to heavy showers with heavy snowfall in the northern parts of the country. These westerly waves are robbed of most of the moisture by the time they reach Pakistan.

Fog occurs during the winter season and remains for weeks in upper Sindh, central Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Punjab.

Southwest Monsoon occurs in summer from the month of June till September in almost whole Pakistan excluding western Balochistan, former FATA, Chitral and Gilgit–Baltistan. Monsoon rains bring much awaited relief from the scorching summer heat.