Ravi River Flood 2025: Rising Waters Threaten Lahore, Kartarpur
The swelling Ravi River has triggered large-scale evacuations across Punjab as monsoon rains and upstream water releases from India pushed water levels to alarming heights. Authorities on both sides of the border are on high alert amid growing concerns of cross-border flooding, submerging farmland, villages, and even heritage sites.
150,000 People Evacuated as Floodwaters Rise
According to Reuters, more than 150,000 residents in eastern Punjab have been evacuated after India released a large volume of water from its dams, including those feeding into the Ravi. Pakistan’s provincial and district administrations were forced to carry out emergency evacuations in Narowal, Shakargarh, and parts of Lahore as the river breached danger levels.
Rescue teams evacuating families from Ravi flood-hit areas (Source: Reuters)
The Provincial Disaster Management Authority (PDMA) Punjab issued red alerts for multiple districts, warning that floodwaters could continue to rise due to ongoing heavy rainfall in the catchment areas and upstream water flows from India.Power Division places Discos on emergency alert amid flood risk
Kartarpur Sahib Gurdwara Partially Submerged
One of the most significant impacts of the flood has been on the Kartarpur Sahib Gurdwara, a sacred Sikh pilgrimage site located just 4 km from the India-Pakistan border. Floodwaters from the Ravi inundated the surrounding roads and access routes, causing concerns over damage to infrastructure and pilgrim access. The Indian Express reported that parts of the outer complex were submerged, although the main shrine remains safe due to elevated construction.
Floodwaters surround Kartarpur Sahib Gurdwara complex (Source: Indian Express)
Authorities in Narowal have restricted access to the corridor and diverted traffic while emergency teams work to clear waterlogged areas and prevent structural damage.
India-Pakistan Water Tensions Flare Again
The current crisis has revived long-standing water-sharing tensions between India and Pakistan. Citing AP News, Pakistani officials said India did not give adequate notice before releasing water from its dams into the Ravi, Sutlej, and Chenab rivers. This led to a sudden surge that Pakistan says could have been better managed with timely coordination.
India, on the other hand, maintains that the water release was part of routine flood-management operations after heavy rainfall across Himachal Pradesh and Punjab.
Historic Shahdara and Riverbanks on Edge
In Shahdara, Lahore – home to the Mughal-era tomb of Emperor Jahangir – the rising Ravi threatens heritage structures and densely populated low-lying areas. Water levels near the Shahdara Bridge have risen significantly, prompting the Lahore administration to deploy rescue teams and temporary flood barriers.
Flood warnings issued at Shahdara Bridge as Ravi water rises (Source: Dawn)
Local residents, many of whom live in informal settlements along the riverbanks, have begun moving to higher ground as a precaution.
Government Response and Relief Measures
Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz has directed the PDMA to remain on high alert and ensure all flood-affected areas receive food, clean drinking water, and medical support. Dozens of relief camps have been established in Narowal, Lahore, Sheikhupura, and other districts along the Ravi.
Military and rescue teams have been deployed to assist local administrations. In many areas, roads remain submerged, and power outages have been reported due to submerged transformers.
Satellite Images Show Extent of Flooding
Satellite imagery shared by the Pakistan Meteorological Department and media outlets shows widespread flooding along the Ravi belt. Farmlands, riverine forests, and major roadways are underwater, with experts warning of agricultural losses in the coming weeks.
Ravi floodwaters inundate villages near Sharaqpur (Source: Dunya News)
What’s Next: Continuous Monitoring
The Pakistan Meteorological Department (PMD) has warned of further rainfall in northern Punjab and upper catchments of the Ravi, which could prolong the high-flood situation. Officials are continuously monitoring water inflows from India, which are expected to fluctuate in the coming days.
Wrap Up
The Ravi flood of 2025 is a stark reminder of the region’s vulnerability to extreme weather events and the need for stronger trans-boundary water management. With religious, cultural, and economic hubs like Kartarpur and Shahdara under threat, coordinated efforts are critical to minimize loss and protect lives.
