MULTAN: A worsening flood crisis has gripped several regions across Punjab as India released additional water into the Sutlej River while Chenab River is also experiencing high flood levels.
The situation has led to widespread displacement, crop damage, and infrastructure strain in multiple districts.
In Jalalpur Pirwala, floodwaters breached embankments due to the fast-flowing Chenab River, submerging dozens of villages. Residents climbed onto rooftops to escape rising waters. Emergency has been declared in Jalalpur Pirwala and Shujabad, with evacuation orders issued for affected towns.
It may be recalled India released more water into the Sutlej River on Sunday and informed the government of Pakistan diplomatically. The government issued flood alerts after severe water flow was recorded downstream of Harike and Ferozepur on the Sutlej. At Head Panjnad, the inflow and outflow reached over 609,669 cusecs, while at Head Trimmu, the Chenab’s flow was recorded at 543,000 cusecs.
Heavy rains lash Faisalabad with over 130mm of downpour
PMD forecasts ‘heavy to very heavy’ rains from Sept 9 to 15
Flood alert issued after India releases water in Sutlej River
The Indian High Commission has informed Pakistan about water discharge in the Sutlej River prompting the Ministry of Water Resources to issue a flood alert.
The alert warns about high level of flood in the Sutlej River at Harike and Ferozepur.
Pakistan’s flood-related fatalities reach 910
Torrential rains and flash floods have wreaked havoc in many regions of the country, claiming 910 lives, injuring 1,044 people, destroying 7,850 homes, and killing 6,180 livestock since June 26, according to the latest figures released by the NDMA.
At least 910 people, including 241 children, 520 men, and 149 women, have lost their lives in flood-hit areas of the country in incidents related to torrential rains and flash flooding.
At least 234 people have died in Punjab, including 91 children, 104 men, and 39 women.
In Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, the death toll has reached 504, with 90 children, 338 men, and 76 women among the victims. Sindh has reported 58 fatalities, comprising 24 children, 26 men, and 8 women.
Flash floods have caused widespread devastation in most areas of the country, with Balochistan reporting 26 fatalities — including 16 children, six men, and four women.
In Gilgit-Baltistan, 41 people lost their lives, among them six children, 26 men, and nine women. AJK recorded 38 deaths due to the deluge, comprising nine children, 17 men, and 12 women.
Meanwhile, in Islamabad, nine individuals perished, including five children, three men, and one woman.
Flood, water flow situation across key rivers
Sindh evacuates 133,887 as floodwaters move downstream
Punjab flood death toll rises to 60
Punjab Information Minister Azma Bokhari has said that the flood-related death toll in the province has reached 60.
With 4.2 million people affected by floods, Bokhari added, as many as 2.1 million have been shifted to safe locations along with 1.5 million livestock as well. She also pointed out that as many as 4,335 villages were affected by the floods.
Noting that Punjab CM Maryam Nawaz will soon be announcing a relief package for the affectees, the minister said that more than 1.8 million acres of land were affected by the floods.
“Rice, sugarcane, and cotton crops have been affected by the floods,” she remarked.
