1.5 million hit by cataclysmic flooding in Punjab
file photo
file photo
Shanzila Fatymah • PM Shehbaz Sharif & CM Maryam Nawaz Sharif spearhead large‑scale rescue and evacuation efforts • Flooding swamps over 1,400 villages and devastates grain crops • Chenab River poised to surge dangerously at Head Trimmu • Flight operations halted at Sialkot International Airport due to inundation • No compensation for buildings constructed illegally in high‑risk flood zones, official says

Lahore: The Punjab government has launched a massive evacuation effort as floods impact 1.46 million people across the province, with the Chenab River poised to surge perilously at Head Trimmu.

Punjab is facing its most devastating floods in 40 years, wreaking havoc across hundreds of villages and inundating essential grain fields. Tremendous floods in Ravi, Chenab, Jehlum and Sutlej have also resulted in loss of 17 lives.

A deluge from monsoon down pours compounded by India’s release of excess dam water—swelled three rivers into the province. Authorities were forced to breach embankments, resulting in flooding across more than 1,400 villages. Officials caution that between 700,000 and 800,000 cusecs could flow through the Chenab River system in the next 48 hours, raising the risk of widespread devastation. The relocation operation spans dozens of towns across several districts, including Jhang, Shorkot, Khanewal, Multan, Muzaffargarh, Shujaabad, Jalalpur Pirwala, and Alipur.

At Shahdara, a discharge of 220,000 cusecs of water has continued over the past seven hours.The flow in the Ravi River has remained between 211,330 to 219,760 cusecs. On the directions of Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif, rescue and relief operations are underway across all flood-affected areas. As per the CM’s orders, provincial ministers and members of the assembly are also present in the affected districts to supervise relief efforts.

Over the past 24 hours, more than 20,000 people have been safely evacuated from flood-hit areas. Rescue operations include the deployment of 9,646 individuals through transport, 729 boats, and 2,897 rescuers. Safe evacuations have been completed from Theme Park, Mohlanwal, Muridwal, Farrukhabad, Shafiqabad, Afghan Colony, New Meter City, and Chuhng areas.

In Talat Park, Babu Sabu, rescue and relief operations are continuing rapidly. At Lachiwali School relief camp, over 70 individuals are residing, while most victims are accommodated at the Chuhng Thokar relief camp, where food and shelter facilities are being provided.

Water levels

As of 12:00 AM on Friday, the Chenab River at Trimmu near Jhang was flowing at 117,534 cusecs, indicating a normal status but with a rising trend noted by the Flood Forecasting Division. Upstream, flows were decreasing: Marala Headworks near Sialkot recorded 106,496 cusecs (low flood), while Khanki and Qadirabad headworks reported 305,436 cusecs each. On the Ravi River, Jassar near Narowal stabilized at 95,580 cusecs.

However, Shahdara was experiencing an exceptionally high flood with 219,770 cusecs, though the flow was steady. Head Balloki near Pattoki registered 114,110 cusecs, indicating a rising trend. Further downstream, Head Sidhnai near Abdul Hakeem showed a rising trend, with an inflow of 25,443 cusecs and outflow of 10,093 cusecs.

On the Sutlej River, Ganda Singh Wala near Kasur was in exceptionally high flood at 261,053 cusecs, Sulemanki near Bahawalnagar was in medium flood at 113,124 cusecs, and Head Islam was in low flood at 52,706 cusecs. Meanwhile, the Indus River at Tarbela Dam maintained a normal flow with an outflow of 155,400 cusecs.

Damage Scale

In accordance with PDMA data, over 1.46 million people in 1,692 mouzas have been affected due to extremely high floods in the Sutlej, Ravi and Chenab rivers, with a total of 17 lives lost. The government has evacuated over 265,000 people, of whom 1,372 were living in 355 relief camps and 6,656 were provided with medical help, whereas 90,348 people and 154,980 cattle were transported to safety.

A total of 991 villages were submerged due to flooding in the Chenab River. Some 395 villages were affected by the floods in Sialkot, 127 in Jhang, 124 in Multan, 48 in Chiniot, 66 in Gujrat, 51 in Khanewal, 45 in Hafizabad, 41 in Sargodha, 35 in Mandi Bahauddin, and 19 villages in Wazirabad.

Due to flooding in the Chenab, more than one million people have been evacuated and relocated to safe locations so far. Some 73,000 animals have been moved to safe locations, and 72 veterinary camps have been set up in affected districts. However, ground level interviews show that locals have been helping themselves with no government aid or operation. In the Ravi, around 80 villages were submerged, including 75 in Narowal, four in Sheikhupura, and one in Nankana Sahib.

Around 11,000 people have been evacuated and relocated to safe locations so far. Nearly 4,500 animals have been moved to safe locations. A total of 52 veterinary camps have been set up in affected districts. As for the Sutlej River, a total of 361 villages were submerged, including 72 in Kasur, 86 in Okara, 24 in Pakpattan, 27 in Multan, 23 in Vehari, 104 in Bahawalnagar and 25 villages in Bahawalpur.

Nearly 127,000 people have been evacuated and relocated to safe locations so far. A total of 70,000 animals have been moved to safe locations, whereas 90 veterinary camps have been set up.

‘No compensation’

Information minister Attaullah Tarar on Thursday applauded the operations being held and people working on the frontline for averting a tremendous flood disaster in Gujranwala and Wazirabad.

Answering the media in wazirabad it was reassured by the minister that necessities have been arranged by the government including tent,food and medical supplies.  A survey is currently underway to estimate livestock losses, and compensation will be provided to affected individuals. However, he stressed that no compensation would be given for structures built illegally in these high-risk areas.

Meanwhile, flooding also disrupted flight operations at Sialkot International Airport, where services were suspended for 24 hours on Thursday.

PM, CM visited affected areas

On Thursday, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, accompanied by Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif, undertook an aerial assessment of the regions in Punjab severely impacted by recent flooding. The inspection focused on areas such as Narowal and the Kartarpur Sahib corridor, which have experienced significant damage due to rising river levels. During the flight, Lieutenant General Inam Haider Malik, Chairman of the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA), provided a comprehensive briefing on the current flood situation, including the status of river flows and ongoing relief operations.

Following the aerial survey, Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif visited the Ravi River at Shahdara to directly observe the situation. She expressed concern over the exacerbation of the crisis, attributing part of the severity to the opening of spillways by India. However, she commended the effectiveness of the province s early warning system, which facilitated timely evacuations and helped mitigate potential casualties.

However, the chief minister’s visit to the affected areas sparked a lot of debate  as she brought her social media (tiktok) team there. The security was also questioned , she was criticized for her visit as the issue was neglected and the security officials were more focused on the security of the CM.

International support

On Thursday, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif received a telephone call from Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, who conveyed his heartfelt condolences over the devastating floods affecting various regions of Pakistan. President Erdogan expressed deep sympathy for the loss of lives and property, assuring that Turkiye stands ready to provide comprehensive support in the ongoing rescue and relief operations.

In response, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif expressed gratitude for President Erdogan s thoughtful sentiments and generous offer of assistance. He emphasized that the call reflects the enduring and fraternal ties between Pakistan and Turkiye, highlighting the longstanding tradition of mutual support between the two nations during times of crisis.

The two leaders also discussed their recent interactions earlier this year and expressed the hope of meeting again soon on the sidelines of the upcoming Shanghai Cooperation Organization Summit in Tianjin, China.

Casualties

NDMA Report: Monsoon Rains Claim 14 Lives Across Punjab and AJK

Islamabad: The National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) has released its latest report detailing the human losses caused by ongoing monsoon rains across the country.

According to the report, 13 people lost their lives in Punjab within the last 24 hours. Among them, five men were killed in Sialkot, four in Gujrat, one in Wazirabad and three in Narowal. In addition, one fatality was reported from Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK) during the same period. The NDMA further stated that one man sustained injuries in Punjab, while three individuals were injured in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa over the last 24 hours. Authorities have urged citizens to remain cautious and follow safety advisories as heavy monsoon activity continues across several regions.