Chenab River Water Levels Likely to Surge Due to Heavy Rains in Kashmir and Punjab

The Chenab River in Pakistan is likely to experience a substantial rise in water levels over the next few days due to ongoing rainfall in the catchment areas of Indian-occupied Kashmir and recent heavy showers in Punjab. The river is currently flowing in a medium flood state.

A senior official from the Punjab Irrigation Department expressed concern, stating that the situation could become critical if the predicted heavy rains occur in the catchment areas. "The situation may turn critical if there are heavy rains, as predicted, in the catchment areas of held Kashmir and Punjab," the official told Dawn.

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At the moment, the Chenab River is flowing in medium flood. Its flow may surge and enter the high-flood category following forecasts of heavy rain over the next three to four days in both held Kashmir and Punjab.

The Pakistan Meteorological Department's Flood Forecasting Division (FFD) has issued a forecast for high flood levels in several major rivers, including the Chenab, and associated tributaries. This is attributed to a combination of a westerly wave and a strong monsoon incursion from the Arabian Sea and the Bay of Bengal.

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The situation may turn critical if there are heavy rains, as predicted, in the catchment areas of held Kashmir and Punjab.

The FFD's bulletin warns of high flood levels expected in the Chenab at Marala, the Jhelum upstream of Mangla, and various nullahs. Flash flooding is also anticipated in the hill torrents of DG Khan, streams of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, and northern Balochistan. Additionally, urban flooding is predicted for several cities, including Rawalpindi, Lahore, and Faisalabad.

The report also detailed current water flows, noting that the Indus River is at low levels. The Jhelum is in low to medium flood, while the Chenab is in medium to high flood at key points. The Ravi and Sutlej rivers are flowing below low flood levels.

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High flood levels are expected in River Chenab at Marala, River Jhelum upstream of Mangla and associated nullahs of the Jhelum and Chenab (Dora, Dotta, Dowara, Bhimber, Halsi, Aik and Palkhu) and Ravi (Bein, Bassanter, Deg and Sakki). High flows are also expected in River Kabul and its associated tributaries.