Chenab floods surpass capacity at Khanki Headworks, NDMA warns of structural risk

National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) on Wednesday warned of a severe flood situation at the Khanki Headworks on the Chenab River, where water discharge has crossed one million cusecs.

According to the NDMA spokesperson, the headworks has a designed capacity of 800,000 cusecs, and the current flood flow poses a serious risk to its hydraulic structure.

The spokesperson said Prime Minister’s Office has directed NDMA to oversee all rescue operations in the affected areas, with efforts underway to ensure the safety of nearby communities.

Khanki Headworks, located near Wazirabad in Punjab, is one of the oldest headworks in Pakistan. Built in 1892 during British rule, it was constructed to regulate the flow of the Chenab River and feed irrigation canals in central Punjab. Over the years, the headworks has played a vital role in the region’s agriculture but has also faced damage during major floods in the past.