Sutlej inflows from India abruptly surge to alarming level

LAHORE: The Sutlej River has seen a swift and concerning increase in its floodwaters, reaching an “exceptionally high-flood” level at Ganda Singh Wala.

On Friday, August 29, 2025, the water flow surged dramatically from 261,030 cusecs at noon to 385,569 cusecs by 8pm, marking a notable rise of about 47.7 per cent within just eight hours. This abrupt increase has triggered urgent hydrological alerts from the Flood Forecasting Division of the Pakistan Meteorological Department (PMD), further exacerbating the already alarming floodwater situation for the communities residing along the river.

Sources claimed that India did not issue an alert to the Pakistani authorities as per the provisions of the 1961 Indus Waters Treaty regarding the latest abrupt surge in floodwater. Earlier last week, there was a critical failure to share updated information about the Sutlej River as well.

By the time the first alert of flood season 2025 was shared by India with Pakistan on August 24, 2025 through diplomatic channels, the Sutlej had reached high flood levels, exceeding 122,000 cusecs. And India did not include rising trend in Sutlej River in that alert, leaving lower riparian South Punjab in the dark with regards to preparing for the surging waters. The next day, India issued two back-to-back alerts related to floods in the Sutlej River.

The gushing water emanating from India has already inflicted severe damage on Sutlej Valley in South Punjab. Thousands of acres of farmland have been inundated, leading to extensive crop destruction and considerable financial losses for farmers. Hundreds of families in the districts of Kasur, Bahawalpur, and Bahawalnagar have been forced to leave their homes, with many more facing potential displacement. The situation is further complicated by forecasts of ongoing and approaching rainfall spells, which could worsen the flooding. To address the challenge, the NDMA has released a strong advisory for residents in flood-prone regions, urging them to stay alert and cooperate with local authorities by adhering to all evacuation directives. The Flood Forecasting Division is closely monitoring the situation, highlighting the importance of continued preparedness as the floodwaters progress. The coordinated efforts of all agencies are critical in responding to this evolving disaster and ensuring a swift and effective relief operation with a view to countering Indian designs to hurt the population living in the lower riparian Pakistan.