Chenab River floods devastate Pakistan's Punjab after unannounced water release from India

Heavy monsoon rains and an unannounced release of water from India's upstream dams caused the Chenab River to surge, breaching embankments and flooding large parts of Punjab province, Pakistan. In Liaquatpur's Bet Parara area, a protective embankment collapsed, submerging dozens of villages and displacing thousands. Across the province, rising levels in the Chenab and Ravi rivers damaged farmland, eroded riverbanks and threatened homes.

Pakistani authorities have evacuated more than 4,300 residents and over 3,500 livestock, establishing relief camps in Chiniot, Faisalabad and other districts under the direction of Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif. The Provincial Disaster Management Authority and Rescue 1122 teams continue rescue and relief operations, reinforcing embankments and repairing a breached canal near Chiniot.

India’s suspension of the Indus Water Treaty removed the requirement to give advance notice before releasing water, prompting Pakistani officials to accuse New Delhi of “water aggression.” India asserts the releases were due to excessive inflows from heavy rains and not a deliberate act.