Category: 1. Pakistan

The National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) on Tuesday issued a high-flood alert for the Ravi River after India released additional water into the tributary.

A devastating monsoon season marked by record rainfall, glacier melt, and widespread flooding has exposed Pakistan’s extreme vulnerability to climate change. The “high flood” warnings this week have put Punjab on high alert and prompted mass evacuations in various places.

In a high flood alert posted at 5:40pm, the NDMA said: “Heavy rainfall expected in the upper regions of Ravi over the next 48 hours. The Indian dam Thein is 97 per cent full, and its spillways may be opened at any time. Due to potential discharge, a high-level flood is expected in the Ravi River. High-level flow is also expected in Pir Panjal, Bain, Basantar and Deek.”

The NDMA cautioned citizens to stay away from rivers, drains and low-lying areas, along with avoiding unnecessary travel.

It also issued instructions to agencies and emergency services to remain on high alert.

A statement from the Punjab Provincial Disaster Management Authority (PDMA) said India had opened all gates of the Thein Dam on the Ravi River and 210,000 cusecs of water were entering Pakistan from Kot Ninan.

“In the next 24 hours, the water flow at Kot Ninan will increase further. In the next 48 hours, very high level of flood will pass through Jasar Shahdara and Head Baloki,” it said, adding that the Lahore commissioner and deputy commissioners of other districts had been alerted.

The PDMA spokesperson said the water level in the Ravi River was continuously increasing, adding that there was a high level of flood at Jasar with 142,000 cusecs of water continuously entering and a low level of flood at Shahdara at 56,000 cusecs of water.

The spokesperson said the PDMA had instructed the administration of the districts adjacent to the Ravi River to take emergency measures and instructions were issued for the immediate evacuation of citizens in the river’s basin.

Meanwhile, an update from Kasur Division Signaller Ghulam Mustafa at 8pm said there was a “very high flood” in the Sutlej River with the flow at 208,973 cusecs and rising.

Earlier today, state-run APP reported that nearly 150,000 people have so far been relocated to safer areas from flood-prone regions, adding that it followed early warnings and alerts issued by NDMA regarding rising water levels and potential flooding.

The PDMA initiated “large-scale evacuation operations” in vulnerable places following the swelling of the Sutlej River, the report said.

“Emergency response teams were deployed, and all concerned departments were placed on high alert to safeguard public life and property,” it added.

The data provided by the NDMA showed evacuations included 89,868 residents from Bahawalnagar, 14,140 from Kasur, 2,063 from Okara, 873 from Pakpattan, 361 from Bahawalpur, and 165 from Vehari, according to the APP.

It further said that around 40,000 people had moved to safer locations soon after the initial alerts.

A day earlier, Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz issued orders to evacuate the people living in areas around rivers and low-lying regions, while the Ministry of Climate Change predicted heavy rains in Gujranwala, Gujrat, and Lahore divisions “with a high risk of both riverine and urban flooding”.

An alert by Punjab PDMA on Monday reported “high flood level” in the Sutlej River at 10am, urging district administrations across Punjab to maintain a “high level of preparedness and mitigation of the disaster”.

The Pakistan Meteorological Department (PMD) also issued a flood warning for the Chenab River and Ravi River yesterday, stating that the intensity of rainfall over the eastern rivers was “likely to increase significantly”.

In light of a flood alert by India, more than 24,000 people had been relocated from the low-lying areas of the Indus, Chenab, Ravi, and Sutlej rivers since Saturday, according to Rescue 1122 spokesperson Farooq Ahmad.

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has formally launched the New Energy Vehicle Policy 2025-2030, a landmark initiative aimed at promoting environmentally friendly and cost-effective transportation in Pakistan.

The policy seeks to reduce carbon emissions, save billions in foreign exchange, foster innovation, and empower the youth to spearhead the country’s transition towards a green economy.

Addressing the launch ceremony, the prime minister said Pakistan, despite contributing little to global emissions, is among the most climate-vulnerable countries.

He cited flash floods, cloudbursts, and Glacial Lake Outburst Floods (GLOF) as recurring threats, stressing that their intensity is worsening each year, causing heavy losses to lives and property.

“No country can tackle this mounting challenge alone,” he said, urging developed nations, especially the West, to support vulnerable countries like Pakistan in building climate-resilient infrastructure.

Earlier, Minister for National Food Security Rana Tanveer Hussain said the policy reflects the prime minister’s vision of empowering youth and advancing clean mobility.

Special Assistant to the PM on Industries and Production Haroon Akhtar Khan described the policy as a blueprint for Pakistan’s clean transport revolution.

He said the country is now moving beyond vehicle assembly into battery production, charging equipment, and advanced parts manufacturing.

Highlighting the economic benefits, Haroon Akhtar said Pakistan spends billions annually on petroleum imports, while urban air pollution costs over Rs105 billion in productivity and healthcare losses. Meanwhile, 126 terawatt hours of surplus electricity remain untapped.

“Running an electric motorcycle today costs less than one-third of petrol per kilometre,” he noted, adding that incentives like financing reforms, toll exemptions, and free registration will make electric mobility accessible to households, delivery riders, transporters, and businesses alike.

On the occasion, the prime minister also distributed free e-bikes among top-performing students as a symbolic step towards clean and affordable mobility.

KARACHI: A large volume of industrial waste and garbage was flushed into the sea in the wake of the monsoon rains and urban flooding in Karachi last week, environmentalists and fisherfolk said on Tuesday.

The downpours paralyzed Pakistan’s largest city, killing 17 people and renewing scrutiny of the city’s ability to cope with heavy rainfall. Floodwaters also swept plastic waste, bottles and chemical discharges through storm drains into the Arabian Sea, turning stretches of coastline into a dumping ground.

Beaches from Manora to Korangi Creek are now strewn with heaps of trash.

“While many witnessed the deaths and destruction caused by the recent rains in the city, few realize the downpours have also killed countless marine creatures,” Younus Khaskheli, a fisherman and local activist, said. “This has not only damaged the marine ecosystem but also severely affected the livelihoods of fishermen.”

Khaskheli said floodwaters surged through Karachi’s two major rivers — Lyari and Malir — carrying huge amounts of garbage into the sea. The Lyari River, running through most of the city, transported the largest share of debris, while drainage from Clifton and Defense added to the flow.

Industrial effluents from the Korangi Industrial Area also washed into the sea during the rains, compounding the pollution problem.

He said the blanket of waste along the shoreline, previously about 1.5 kilometers from the coast into the sea, had expanded to more than two kilometers after the rains and in some areas is nearly nine feet thick.

“Pollution has also wiped out fish nurseries from Korangi Creek to Port Qasim, mainly due to the industrial runoff,” Khaskheli said, adding that marine life in this stretch had suffered massively.

Experts say the problem is systemic and recurs with every spell of rain.

“It is very difficult to determine the exact quantity [of garbage flushed into the sea] because it’s unclear how much solid waste is collected and how much is not,” said Muhammad Moazzam Khan, technical adviser at WWF-Pakistan.

He cited figures from the Sindh Solid Waste Management Board, which told a judicial commission of Justice Amir Hani Muslim that the city generates 12,000 to 13,000 tons of waste daily, but only 8,000 to 10,000 tons are collected.

“The rest becomes part of the environment,” he added. “Ultimately, this waste reaches the sea through rainfall and drains.”

Khan said poor disposal habits worsen the crisis.

“People throw garbage into stormwater drains, turning them into dumping grounds,” he said. “Authorities are responsible for collection, but citizens also need to reduce waste and avoid plastics.”

The impact is visible along Karachi’s shores and beyond, he added.

“When garbage enters the sea, some of it remains near the coast, some floats and some washes up on other beaches,” Khan said. “No beach in Pakistan is safe. Waste generated in Karachi can be seen along the entire coastline and beyond.”

While most commercial fishing grounds lie far from Karachi and remain safe, Khan warned that coastal waters near the city have become heavily polluted, forcing small-scale fishermen to travel further for their catch.

In Rehri Goth, Muhammad Ismail, a fisherman, is the sole breadwinner for his family of eight. As the population grows, his livelihood faces mounting challenges.

“I can’t travel far because of my illness,” he said while informing that he developed kidney problems two years ago, forcing him to limit his fishing trips.

“With more people and more garbage in the water, our chances of catching fish keep shrinking,” he added.

Arab News contacted the Karachi Port Trust and the Sindh Environmental Protection Agency (SEPA) for comment but did not receive a response.

ISLAMABAD/
LAHORE:

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Tuesday chaired a meeting to review the flood situation across the country and the ongoing relief operations. The session focused on the impact of flooding in various regions, particularly in Punjab, where the Sutlej River’s rising waters have caused widespread disruption.

“Rescue operations must be accelerated in the flood-affected districts of Punjab,” he directed, highlighting the urgency of the situation. He also ordered an expedited evacuation of individuals trapped in the affected areas and emphasised the importance of ensuring the timely supply of food, medicine, and tents to those in need.

PM Shehbaz instructed the chairman of the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) to maintain close contact with the Disaster Management Authority of Punjab for coordinated efforts.

According to a briefing during the meeting, flood warnings for the Sutlej River had been issued in advance, allowing for the evacuation of residents from surrounding areas. As a result, no casualties have been reported from the river’s affected regions so far.

In total, over 190,000 people have been safely relocated to higher ground, with rescue operations continuing in the worst-hit districts. Efforts are also underway in Narowal district, where floodwaters from the Lahri Bund have prompted the evacuation of residents.

In Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa, power restoration efforts are underway in flood-hit areas, while the national highway in Gilgit-Baltistan remains submerged over a two-kilometre stretch, with recovery efforts ongoing.

The meeting also noted severe flooding in areas such as Gundasinghwala on the Sutlej River, Jaister on the Ravi River, and Marala on the Chenab River. Furthermore, the Dek Nullah region is experiencing intense flooding.

Federal ministers for Planning, Climate Change, Communications, Power, Information, Religious Affairs, and senior government officials attended the meeting to discuss the ongoing relief operations and strategies for flood management.

Later, speaking to the media, NDMA Chairman Lieutenant General Inam Haider said that nearly 190,000 people have been evacuated from flood-affected areas along the River Sutlej, with rising water levels continuing to pose an ongoing threat to vulnerable communities.

He added that the large-scale evacuation was carried out in collaboration with the Punjab Provincial Disaster Management Authority (PDMA) and Rescue 1122. The agencies worked together to relocate residents to safer zones amid high flood alerts.

“We are focused on ensuring the safety of residents in the flood-prone areas,” said Lt Gen Haider. “Our operational focus remains on the Chenab, Ravi, and Sutlej rivers, which are facing medium to high-level flood risks due to the ongoing eighth spell of the monsoon season.”

PDMA issues flood warning for Chenab, Ravi, and Sutlej

Meanwhile, Director General of the Provincial Disaster Management Authority (PDMA) Punjab, Irfan Ali Kathia, has warned of rising water levels in key rivers in the province, raising concerns over potential flooding.

In a statement issued on Tuesday, Kathia reported that water levels in the Chenab, Ravi, and Sutlej Rivers have been steadily increasing, while hill torrents and streams in the region are also experiencing flooding.

“There is a high risk of flood in these rivers over the next 48 hours,” Kathia said. He further cautioned of the possibility of flash flooding in the hill torrents of Dera Ghazi Khan, urging local authorities to remain vigilant.

Relief Commissioner Punjab Nabeel Javed confirmed that the provincial government has set up flood relief camps in affected areas, ensuring they are equipped with essential facilities to support displaced individuals and those at risk.

On the other hand, authorities are on high alert, with efforts to enhance preparedness and coordinate flood relief operations across the province. Flooding in these rivers is expected to pose significant challenges to local communities, particularly in low-lying areas.

The Lahore district administration has also raised a high alert as the water levels in the Ravi River are expected to rise significantly over the next 48 hours, potentially threatening low-lying areas.

Authorities have instructed residents of vulnerable zones to evacuate immediately and relocate to safer locations. Rescue 1122 teams are on standby, with relief and medical camps being established in regions likely to be affected by the rising floodwaters.

A control room has been set up at the Deputy Commissioner’s office to monitor the situation round-the-clock. The local administration is also clearing obstructions in the Ravi River to ensure smooth water flow and prevent any potential blockages.

“We are taking all necessary measures to ensure the safety of our citizens,” said the Lahore Deputy Commissioner in a statement. He added that livestock owners have been instructed to move their animals to higher ground, and all relevant departments have been put on alert with staff and machinery available 24 hours a day.

The administration urged the public to disregard rumours and rely only on official instructions. In case of emergency, residents have been advised to contact the control room at 0307-0002345 or Rescue 1122.

NDMA issues heavy rainfall warning

The National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) has issued a warning for heavy rainfall across several districts of Punjab and Azad Jammu & Kashmir (AJK) in the next twelve hours.

The advisory comes with a broader alert for possible urban flooding and waterlogging in low-lying areas, urging residents to stay vigilant. Authorities have cautioned that the heavy rainfall may lead to the overflow of streams and flooding in vulnerable zones.

In particular, hilly regions are at risk of landslides and flash floods due to the intensified weather conditions. “Citizens should avoid unnecessary travel and stay clear of rivers and streams,” an NDMA spokesperson advised, urging the public to take necessary precautions.

The NDMA has recommended following official instructions, which will be broadcast through television, radio, mobile alerts, and the NDMA Disaster Alert app. Authorities are on high alert, with emergency measures being coordinated across affected districts to mitigate the impact of the anticipated weather system.

ISLAMABAD:

The Economic Coordination Committee (ECC) on Tuesday approved Rs3 billion emergency funding for the flood-stricken region of Gilgit-Baltistan (G-B). 

The meeting, chaired by Finance Minister Muhammad Aurangzeb, was attended by Energy Minister Sardar Awais Leghari, Petroleum Minister Ali Pervaiz Malik, and Food Security Minister Rana Tanveer Hussain, according to a statement issued by the Finance Ministry.

The Rs3 billion relief package was submitted by the Ministry of Kashmir Affairs and G-B in line with Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif’s directives during his recent visit to flood-hit areas.

Read More: Over 406 lives lost in K-P floods since August 15

“The package will ensure timely provision of tents, food, medicines, and help rebuild damaged infrastructure in the affected areas,” said the official statement. The relief also ensures immediate measures for communities still grappling with the aftermath of the natural disaster.

In another major decision, the ECC approved the release of Rs3.813 billion, out of the Rs11 billion, requested for Pakistan Television Corporation (PTV). The amount will be used to pay salaries, pensions, and cover key operational costs. The remaining funds are expected to be released on a quarterly basis.

However, the committee advised the state broadcaster to move towards self-sustainability and minimise dependence on grants. “PTV must work towards reducing its dependency on the federal budget and chart a path towards self-sufficiency,” the ECC stated.

The committee also tackled a long-pending issue in the energy sector — unpaid petroleum levies from Cnergyico PK Limited (CPL) dating back to 2019.

Also Read: PM Shehbaz hails PAF for defending national integrity

A settlement framework was approved to recover the principal amount, and the Petroleum Division was authorised to sign a deed of settlement with the company. “The full amount will be recovered as per the agreed terms,” the Finance Ministry noted.

Meanwhile, the Power Division’s proposal to provide relief to electricity users by passing on the benefits, collected under the Captive Transmission Levy, was also approved.

In a move to fast-track a key strategic energy project, the ECC gave the go-ahead to revised tariff terms for the Machike-Thallian-Tarrujabba White Oil Pipeline.

The project is being developed in partnership with Azerbaijan and is expected to bolster bilateral trade and energy ties. The ECC approved the proposed terms and conditions necessary to facilitate the project’s launch.