The flood threat along the Chenab River has subsided. After peaking at a medium-level flow over the weekend, the water discharge at Head Marala and Khanki has dropped to low levels, bringing a brief reprieve to riverside communities.
The Pakistan Meteorological Department (PMD) confirmed the shift Tuesday, noting that the river’s flow has stabilized. While the immediate danger of flooding has passed, local authorities remain on high alert. The monsoon season is far from over, and the current lull is expected to be short-lived.
A new weather system is moving toward Pakistan, with the Met Office forecasting fresh spells of rain in the upper reaches of Punjab starting July 29. Meteorologists expect these showers to hit the Potohar region, Gujranwala, and Lahore divisions, potentially pushing water levels back up in the northern tributaries of the Chenab and Jhelum rivers.
Flood control rooms in Sialkot and Gujrat have been instructed to maintain their monitoring protocols. Provincial disaster management officials emphasized that the reduction in water levels does not signal an end to the monsoon risk. They are focusing on the vulnerable embankments that took a beating during the recent high-flow period.
For residents in low-lying areas, the transition from medium to low flow means a chance to clear debris from homes and fields. However, the forecast for the coming weekend suggests that the window for recovery may be narrow.
The PMD’s latest advisory warns that the upcoming rain spell could lead to urban flooding in major cities and potential flash flooding in local nullahs. Residents have been urged to stay tuned to local broadcasts and avoid crossing flooded water channels, regardless of how quickly the levels appear to be dropping.
