Web Desk; Punjab remained in the grip of a flood emergency on Saturday as swelling waters in the Sutlej, Chenab, and Ravi rivers inundated vast areas, disrupting lives and livelihoods across the province. The Provincial Disaster Management Authority (PDMA) and district administrations reported catastrophic damage, mass evacuations, and mounting fears of further flooding in the days ahead.
Rising Waters Across Punjab
Authorities have sounded major alerts at Head Trimmu in Multan, where a powerful flood wave is expected within two to three days. Irrigation officials confirmed high flood levels at Head Sulaimanki and medium levels at Head Islam, while the Ravi River’s waters surged through Head Balloki and Sidhnai.
Preparations are underway to reinforce embankments at Sher Shah, though contingency plans include breaching protective bunds at Sher Shah and Head Muhammadwala if levels continue to rise. In Shujabad, over 500,000 cusecs of water surged through, inundating farmland, while breaches in the Zamindara embankment left several rural settlements submerged.
The flood’s impact has been particularly severe in Muzaffargarh, where waters from the Chenab entered three villages, affecting more than 2,000 residents. In Kasur’s Ganda Singh Wala, the Sutlej carried a flow of 311,000 cusecs, while at Chiniot, a devastating 950,000-cusec wave was followed by another surge of 550,000 cusecs, overwhelming villages in its path.
Widespread Devastation Reported by PDMA
The PDMA reported that more than 4,100 villages have been inundated, leaving 42.25 million people affected and at least 50 lives lost to drowning. Relief Commissioner Punjab, Nabeel Javed, said that over 20 million people have been relocated to safer areas.
To meet urgent needs, 423 relief camps, 512 medical camps, and 432 veterinary camps have been established across flood-hit districts. Rescue operations have saved more than 1.5 million livestock. Javed also warned that major reservoirs are nearing full capacity, with Mangla Dam at 87 percent and Tarbela Dam at 100 percent. On the Indian side, Bhakra Dam is at 90 percent, Pong at 99 percent, and Thein at 97 percent, raising fears of further inflows.
Worst-Hit Districts
In Shakargarh, 474 villages have been submerged, with farmland devastated despite the evacuation of 4,000 people and hundreds of livestock. Jalalpur Pirwala faces imminent danger as the Chenab and Sutlej approach city limits.
In Gujrat, relentless rains have stopped but urban flooding continues, leaving courts, offices, and business centers under water. Residents are being ferried to safety on boats and tractors. Similarly, in Shorkot, the Ravi’s waters engulfed three villages.
The NDMA has warned of possible urban flooding in Murree, Galliyat, Islamabad, Rawalpindi, Attock, Chakwal, and Jhelum within hours, citing the formation of towering cumulus clouds that could trigger lightning, thunder, and heavy rain.
Ongoing Alerts and Forecasts
The Flood Forecasting Division (FFD) reported 384,124 cusecs passing through Panjnad headworks on the Chenab, with very high levels on the Ravi between Balloki and Sidhnai, and an “exceptionally high flood” at Ganda Singh Wala on the Sutlej.
The PDMA forecast warned of a very high flood in the Chenab over the next 24 hours, particularly at Panjnad, alongside flash flooding risks in Dera Ghazi Khan and Rajanpur. Heavy rainfall is expected over Lahore, Gujranwala, Sahiwal, Multan, DG Khan, and Bahawalpur.
The NDMA also issued a 48-hour alert on X, warning of rain and strong winds in South Punjab, including Bahawalpur, Bahawalnagar, Rahim Yar Khan, Rajanpur, Khanpur, and Muzaffargarh.
Situation in Sindh
In Sindh, Minister for Agriculture Sardar Muhammad Bakhsh Khan Mahar inspected flood defenses at Qadirpur Shenk Bund in Ghotki, where up to 700,000 cusecs are expected by September 9. He assured that protective bunds were being reinforced and visited mobile hospitals and relief camps.
Sindh Senior Minister Sharjeel Inam Memon said that more than 121,000 people have been evacuated from riverine areas, including 12,000 in the past 24 hours. Health camps have treated over 33,800 individuals, while 22 boats were deployed to aid operations.
Meanwhile, the PMD has forecast heavy to very heavy rain across Sukkur, Mirpur Khas, and Shaheed Benazirabad, warning of urban flooding between September 7 and 9.
Multan and Southern Punjab Under Threat
In Multan, Deputy Commissioner Waseem Hamid Sandhu said a 414,000-cusec flood wave is expected within 48 hours. While water levels showed a temporary decline, fresh inflows from Trimmu posed new risks to embankments in Shujaabad and Jalalpur Pirwala.
Dams and Barrages at Capacity
At Kotri barrage, irrigation officials recorded 243,055 cusecs upstream and 222,500 cusecs downstream, with water being diverted into four canals. Over 80 villages in Bahawalpur have been submerged, and PDMA confirmed that at least 50 people have died across Punjab, most in Gujrat and Gujranwala divisions.
Gujrat’s Urban Flooding Crisis
In Gujrat city, floodwaters from storm channels, worsened by motorway construction disrupting natural flow, have submerged roads, offices, and residential areas for a third day. After 27 hours of continuous rain earlier this week, drainage systems failed to clear water. Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz visited the city to review the situation.
A senior revenue official noted that this was the second time in two years that stormwater channel flooding caused such devastation, a scenario unprecedented in Gujrat’s history.
Outlook
Relief Commissioner Javed assured that losses will be compensated under government directives. While DG PDMA Irfan Ali Kathia said water levels in the Sutlej are now showing a “falling trend,” he cautioned that vigilance remains crucial given India’s dam releases and the high inflows still surging through Punjab’s rivers.
For millions across Punjab and Sindh, the next few days remain critical as authorities race against time to strengthen embankments, manage overflowing dams, and provide relief to those stranded by one of the most destructive floods in recent years.
