LAHORE: Flooding has intensified in several housing societies along Multan Road, with ParkView City among the hardest hit. Early Friday, water levels in some neighborhoods rose to nearly six feet, damaging homes, valuables, and ongoing construction projects.
“Almost half of ParkView City is underwater. In most blocks, the water has reached five to six feet, which residents cannot drain by themselves. Many people have already moved either to their hometowns or to relatives’ homes in Lahore,” said Muhammad Abdullah, a resident, describing the extent of the flooding.
According to Abdullah, blocks including Diamond, Crystal, Silver, Tulip (Extension), Overseas (Extension), and Platinum are currently submerged. He noted that the water is largely concentrated after the fourth roundabout; areas closer to the Multan Road entrance remain dry.
Thousands of Homes Underwater
Local real estate agent Waryam estimated that between 1,500 and 2,000 houses, primarily five-marla units, are now inundated with three to four feet of water. He added that even larger homes, such as ten-marla houses, and empty plots are experiencing significant flooding. “No residents remain in the area; everyone evacuated by Thursday night,” he said.
Ravi River: Caution Ahead
Officials warn that the next three days are critical. A source familiar with the matter said India may release up to 300,000 cusecs of water, which could overwhelm the Ravi River, whose current capacity is around 250,000 cusecs.
The flood situation has also worsened in Mohlanwal, another locality along Multan Road near the Ravi River. Homes there are under water, compounding concerns for downstream neighborhoods.
Lahore Deputy Commissioner Syed Musa Raza offered a cautious update: “The water level in the Ravi is gradually dropping. Friday’s situation was better than Thursday’s. However, if India releases more water than the river’s capacity, flooding could worsen.”
He clarified that even if 300,000 cusecs are released, Lahore would experience it at Jassar point in three to four days, by which time the flow would likely reduce to about 200,000 cusecs—within the river’s manageable limit.
Relief Efforts Underway
Raza added that floodwater levels, which peaked at 220,000 cusecs on Thursday night, had receded to 160,000 cusecs by Friday, and were 151,000 cusecs at Shahdara by 10 pm. Authorities are now focusing on relief operations, ensuring essential services at 18 flood relief camps across Lahore.
“Assuming no further heavy rains or sudden releases of water from upstream, we expect conditions to improve gradually,” the DC said.
