Pakistan Railways Suspends Multiple Routes in Punjab After Heavy Floods

Heavy monsoon rains and flooding have caused widespread disruption to Pakistan Railways, forcing the suspension of multiple passenger and freight services in Punjab. According to reports, several critical tracks and bridges have been damaged, and while repair efforts are underway, full restoration may take weeks.

Key Closures in Punjab

The Narowal–Sialkot line has been non-operational since August 27, after floodwaters breached a portion of the track. Compounding the problem, a girder span of Bridge No. 7 near Aik Nullah was displaced, causing water to overflow the tracks. Repair work is ongoing, and services are expected to resume by September 12.

On the Chak Jhumra–Shaheenabad (Sargodha) section, operations were suspended on August 29 after high floods damaged Bridge No. 132 and 134 near Chiniot. Reconstruction is in progress to make the route safe for resumption.

Train movement between Wazirabad and Sialkot was halted on September 3 after floodwaters overtopped the track between Wazirabad and Sodhra Kopra, making the line unsafe.

Similarly, the Jhang–Shaheenabad line has remained closed since August 28 after floodwaters breached a section near the Rivaz Railway Bridge over the River Chenab. Water continues to flow through the damaged area, delaying repair efforts.

The Khanewal–Shorkot section was suspended on September 3, when rising waters threatened Abdul Hakim Bridge No. 27. Additional breaches between Abdul Hakim and Darkana stations the following day worsened conditions, forcing a complete shutdown.

Other Disruptions

• On the Shahdra–Faisalabad section, operations slowed after flood damage at Bridge No. 10, with trains passing under speed restrictions.
• At Lahore–Badami Bagh, the Tezgam Express was delayed for nearly an hour when a fallen tree blocked the track.
• The Uggoki–Sialkot line saw delays of two hours after floodwaters overtopped the track.
• The Port Qasim–Bin Qasim section faced a 12-hour suspension on August 20 due to breaches on both sides.
• The Kotri–Dadu track was blocked for three hours the same day by mud and boulder slides.
• Freight operations on the Tando Adam–Hyderabad line were halted for 15 hours on August 22 because of severe waterlogging in Hyderabad Yard.
• In Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, the Peshawar Saddar–Cantt route was closed for two hours on August 18 due to urban flooding.

Restoration Efforts Underway

Pakistan Railways teams are working across affected areas to repair tracks, reinforce embankments, and reconstruct bridges. While some services are expected to resume by mid-September, officials caution that full restoration will take time due to the scale of the damage.

The unprecedented rainfall has highlighted the urgent need for climate-resilient railway infrastructure, as repeated flooding continues to disrupt transport and economic activity across Pakistan.

Dev