Severe monsoon flooding has disrupted rail connectivity between Lahore and Faisalabad after breaches in Nullah Deg and Bherr eroded the soil beneath railway bridges, forcing Pakistan Railways to suspend passenger and freight train operations on the affected section.
According to Pakistan Railways, floodwaters caused breaches at 25 locations along the Lahore-Shahdara-Sheikhupura-Faisalabad route, making train movement unsafe.
Rail Operations Suspended
Pakistan Railways Lahore Divisional Superintendent Inam-ullah Khan said operations had to be halted after floodwater severely damaged the railway infrastructure, particularly near Qila Sattar Shah.
He said engineering teams would begin rehabilitation work once floodwaters recede and conditions become safe for restoration.
Several Train Services Cancelled
Following the disruption, Pakistan Railways cancelled all train departures originating from Lahore to Faisalabad, as well as services operating between Lahore and Karachi via Faisalabad.
Passengers holding confirmed reservations have been advised to obtain refunds from railway reservation offices.
Major Trains Diverted
To maintain long-distance connectivity, several trains have been diverted to alternate routes.
- Karakoram Express and Shalimar Express will now operate via Raiwind, Sahiwal and Khanewal, bypassing Faisalabad.
- Passengers travelling to Faisalabad on the Karakoram Express will be accommodated on the Millat Express.
- The Mianwali Express has been rerouted through Wazirabad and Lala Musa.
Meanwhile, the Badr Express and Ghori Express, which operate between Lahore and Faisalabad, have been cancelled until further notice.
Flood Damage Caused by Heavy Monsoon Rains
Railway officials said exceptionally heavy rainfall caused nearby streams to overflow, sending powerful floodwaters that washed away sections supporting the affected railway bridges.
Engineering teams have already been deployed to assess the damage and will begin repairs as soon as water levels recede.
Authorities have urged passengers to remain in contact with railway inquiry centres and reservation offices for updated schedules and operational information.
Flood Situation Across Punjab
According to the Flood Forecasting Division (FFD):
- The Ravi River is flowing at medium flood level at Sidhnai Headworks.
- The Chenab River is at low flood level at Khanki, Qadirabad and Trimmu.
- The Indus River is experiencing low flood levels at Tarbela, Kalabagh, Taunsa and Guddu.
- Authorities have warned that the Guddu Barrage could rise to a medium flood level in the coming days.
The Meteorological Department has also forecast further rainfall, thunderstorms and strong winds across Punjab, Islamabad, Kashmir, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Gilgit-Baltistan, raising concerns about additional flooding.
Tarbela Reservoir Near Conservation Level
Heavy rainfall has also significantly increased water storage at Tarbela Dam.
Official figures show the reservoir level has risen to 1,531.11 feet, just 19 feet below its maximum conservation level of 1,550 feet.
The dam’s live storage currently stands at 4.513 million acre-feet (MAF), representing approximately 81% of its storage capacity.
