MULTAN/ FAISALABAD/ SUKKUR: Widespread flooding across Punjab has caused extensive damage, displaced thousands, and claimed several lives, with the Chenab, Ravi, and Sutlej rivers reaching dangerously high levels. Over 4,300 villages and around 4.2 million people in affected basins are grappling with the crisis.
Multan’s Tehsil Jalalpur Pirwala and 80 villages in Kamalia and Pir Mahal tehsils face severe risk, prompting a red alert. Rain-related accidents in Faisalabad have killed two and injured 12, while flooding near Jhang and Darkhana has damaged railway tracks. In Hyderabad, heavy rains have submerged low-lying areas, disrupted power, and closed schools.
The situation worsens as India releases more water into the Sutlej River, raising flood levels downstream of Harike and Ferozepur, intensifying fears of further devastation across the region.
The confluence of the Sutlej and Chenab rivers has placed Jalalpur Pirwala at extremely high risk. A state of emergency has been declared for the next 24 hours. Officials have warned that the situation is escalating after 500,000 cusecs of floodwater arrived from Head Trimu at Head Muhammadwala. A decision to breach Sher Shah Road is being considered to manage the high flood level. The administration has issued a red alert for Multan and intensified evacuations in the most vulnerable areas. Since Tuesday morning, over 400 people have been rescued, following the evacuation of more than 4,500 victims on Monday alone. In total, 4,782 people have been shifted to safer locations so far. Multan Commissioner Aamir Karim Khan visited the affected areas to review operations. Regional Police Officer Sohail Chaudhry also visited Sher Shah dam and Jalalpur Pirwala. To accommodate the displaced, five new flood relief camps have been established in Jalalpur Pirwala. The administration has reiterated its appeal to residents in high-risk areas to immediately move to safer ground.
Meanwhile, the Ravi River is experiencing extreme flooding near Kamalia, with a flow of 145,000 cusecs. The district administration reported that 80 villages in Kamalia and Pir Mahal tehsils are affected. In a tragic incident, a breach near Khan Da Chak on Chichawatni Road led to the drowning of two people. So far, 115,765 people and 79,399 cattle have been moved to safety. The floods have submerged 59,522 acres. Agriculture departments are providing support with fodder and vaccinations for over 31,000 animals.
The flood situation in the Sutlej River in District Vehari remains critical. Over 93 villages in Burewala, Vehari, and Mailsi were inundated, submerging more than 61,000 acres of cotton, rice, and sugarcane crops. The flow exceeded 170,000 cusecs at Jamlera in Burewala tehsil wreaking havoc across the district. Deputy Commissioner Imrana Tauqir confirmed evacuating 80,000 people and 58,000 livestocl. Rescue teams conducted perilous operations to save 25 people trapped in the submerged villages of Noor Baloch and Baqar Baloch.
Separate rain-related accidents in Faisalabad resulted in two deaths and 12 injuries. Severe flooding near Jhang and Darkhana has severely damaged railway tracks. Pakistan Railways has diverted the Hazara Express and Millat Express trains. These trains, which normally serve Malakwal, Sargodha, and Jhang on their route to Karachi, are now being rerouted via Gujranwala and Lahore. Deputy commissioners in the affected districts continued relief operations. The Punjab Provincial Disaster Management Authority (PDMA) said severe floods in the Ravi, Sutlej, and Chenab river basins have affected over 4,300 villages and approximately 4.2 million people. Tragically, the recent floods have resulted in 60 fatalities. So far, 216,300 people have been evacuated to safe locations. The relief response includes 417 relief camps, 498 medical camps, and 431 veterinary camps. Rescue efforts have saved 157,900 livestock animals.
Meanwhile, Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari said recent rains and floods have inflicted widespread devastation across the country, including Gilgit-Baltistan, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, and Punjab. He expressed concern that the situation in Punjab is particularly grave, with Multan, Kasur, and Jalalpur Pirwala among the worst-affected areas.
Speaking to the media in Sukkur during his visit to review the flood situation in the Indus and Sindh government’s preparedness, Bilawal said that flood victims in Punjab have been waiting for assistance for the past two weeks. He urged Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif to ensure immediate financial aid to flood-affected districts across the country, including Punjab and Sindh, through the BISP. He expressed surprise over why the funds have not yet been released. “I will take up this matter with the Prime Minister,” he added. He also urged urgent support from the international community.
He pointed out that the Sindh government has already completed preparations to effectively respond to the flood situation. Urging residents of riverine and katcha belts to fully cooperate with the administration, Bilawal appealed to them to relocate to safer areas to safeguard their lives and those of their families. In response to a question, the PPP chairman said the party has always supported the construction of non-controversial dams. He further said the PPP supports dams that are politically and technically feasible. “However, on dams lacking consensus, the PPP has raised its voice and will continue to do so. Talking about constructing controversial dams only weakens Pakistan’s case internationally,” he said. He emphasised that constructing a new barrage is beyond the capacity of a single provincial government and must be carried out collectively.
He said the floodwaters are now moving from Punjab towards Sindh, with 45 vulnerable points identified along the Indus River. However, he expressed confidence that the provincial government is fully prepared for any eventuality. He said the Sindh government has already undertaken measures to strengthen the Sukkur Barrage. He continued, “Modi has launched a historic assault on the Indus River, and we want all provinces to stand together as brothers to counter India’s aggression. Pakistan’s strong stance on the Indus Waters Treaty has been recognised globally, and we will continue to raise our voice for the Indus both at home and abroad.” He urged that future infrastructure in the country must be developed with climate change in mind. He said all governments need to review their policies accordingly. Meanwhile, Bilawal visited the Guddu and Sukkur Barrages, where he was briefed on the situation by the Irrigation Department. Sindh Chief Minister Murad Ali Shah, provincial ministers, and members of the assembly also accompanied him.
The National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) has issued a fresh alert forecasting heavy rains across Punjab, Sindh, and Balochistan over the next 12 to 24 hours. The alert warns of potential flash floods, urban flooding, and landslides in vulnerable areas.
Heavy rainfall is expected in Gujranwala, Sialkot, Lahore, Faisalabad, and Sargodha, with stormy conditions forecast for Multan and South Punjab. Residents in these regions are advised to remain cautious due to the risk of flash floods and landslides.
In Sindh, southern districts including Thatta, Badin, Hyderabad, and Karachi are likely to experience stormy rains, while light showers are predicted in upper Sindh. Overnight downpours in Hyderabad have already submerged low-lying areas, disrupted power supplies, and forced city-wide school closures. Thatta also reported heavy rainfall, resulting in severe waterlogging and drainage failures, exacerbating hardships for flood victims in temporary shelters. The 10th monsoon spell, intensified by a low-pressure system, has caused significant disruption across the province.
In Balochistan, thunderstorms and gusty winds are predicted for Zhob, Loralai, and Khuzdar. The NDMA warns of possible urban flooding in low-lying areas. Upper regions of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Azad Jammu and Kashmir may experience landslides due to persistent rainfall. Authorities have directed emergency services to remain on high alert. The Met Office has forecast further downpours across several districts of Punjab, Sindh, and Balochistan. According to Geo News, India informed Pakistan’s Ministry of Water Resources through the Indian High Commission about the release of water into the Sutlej River. Following this, the Ministry of Water Resources issued a flood alert. The Punjab PDMA stated that the release of water by India will further increase the flow in the Sutlej River. Currently, high-level floods are occurring downstream of Harike and Ferozepur in the Sutlej River.