LAHORE/ ISLAMABAD/MULTAN: Punjab is facing one of the worst flood emergencies in recent years, with the Chenab, Ravi, and Sutlej rivers swelling dangerously after weeks of torrential rains and upstream water releases.
Authorities are considering controlled breaches near Multan to divert waters and protect major cities from catastrophe.
The nationwide death toll from the ongoing floods has reached 884, with Punjab among the hardest-hit regions. More than 1.8 million people have been displaced, including half a million evacuated in recent days. Officials report that over 4 million people have been directly affected across the province.
According to the Provincial Disaster Management Authority (PDMA), nearly 3,900 villages in Punjab have been inundated. Roads, bridges, and rural connections have been washed away, leaving thousands stranded. Province’s farmlands have been devastated by floodwaters. Large swathes of cropland remain submerged, raising fears that the upcoming wheat sowing season may be severely affected. Transport disruptions are also hampering the supply of essential goods, with cargo movement delayed across the province.
The National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) on Friday issued a flash and urban flooding alert for Punjab and Sindh, warning of heavy rains between September 6 and 9 that could trigger overflowing rivers, canals, and severe waterlogging in several districts.
In Punjab, districts including Islamabad, Rawalpindi, Murree, Jhelum, Gujranwala, Lahore, Faisalabad, Sargodha, Bahawalpur, and Rahim Yar Khan have been identified as high-risk zones. The NDMA cautioned that the situation could worsen in already flood-affected areas, urging residents to prepare emergency kits, secure valuables, and avoid unnecessary travel.
Similarly, Sindh is expected to experience intermittent downpours, raising fears of urban flooding in Karachi, Hyderabad, Mirpurkhas, Sukkur, Larkana, Thatta, and adjoining districts. Low-lying areas in Tharparkar, Umerkot, Badin, Sujawal, and Kashmore may face flash floods due to runoff from hill torrents.
Rescue agencies and local administrations across both provinces have been placed on high alert, with instructions to closely monitor rivers and drainage systems. Citizens have been urged to follow official advisories and adopt preventive measures to reduce risks, including the spread of waterborne diseases.
A fresh surge of floodwaters has been recorded at Head Balloki on the River Ravi, raising fears of renewed flooding in nearby villages. The inflow and outflow were measured at 144,850 cusecs on Friday, up from 114,130 cusecs a day earlier — an increase of nearly 30,720 cusecs.
Thousands of acres of farmland that had begun to recover from earlier flooding are once again at risk. Residents voiced concern that even a small rise could bring their homes and crops back under water.
Deputy Commissioner Nankana Muhammad Tasleem Akhtar Rao and District Police Officer Fraz Ahmad visited flood-hit areas, including Heary, Ghanish Pur, Lalu Ana, and Gatan Da Wara, to review relief efforts. Officials reported that 121 villages and more than 30,000 people have been affected, with crops on 45,000 acres badly damaged.
Floodwaters have also disrupted 17 connecting roads, though five have since been repaired. Authorities said standardised meals are being provided to around 6,000 people three times a day, along with clean drinking water and fodder for livestock.
At a relief camp in Hafat Madar, a Mehfil-e-Milad was also held, attended by local officials and displaced families, as part of community support efforts.
Also, the River Sutlej continued to wreak havoc across Vehari district on Friday, submerging vast areas of Burewala, Vehari, and Mailsi tehsils. Floodwaters have destroyed crops, breached protective bunds, and forced tens of thousands of residents from their homes.
According to irrigation officials, water discharge has surged to 170,000 cusecs at Jhamlera, while flows at Head Islam and Mailsi Siphon stand at 102,045 cusecs and 93,045 cusecs, respectively.
Deputy Commissioner Imrana Tauqir reported that at least 84 villages have been inundated, displacing 67,022 people and wiping out crops over 47,380 acres. Nearly 63,655 victims have so far been shifted to temporary relief camps.
A 16-year-old boy drowned in the River Sutlej near Mouza Saldira in Burewala on Friday, police said. The deceased was identified as Amir, who was swept away by strong currents while attempting to rescue cattle from the river. Eyewitnesses told police that the boy had been returning to his native village from Chishtian when the tragedy struck. Rescue 1122 teams later recovered the body and handed it over to the family.
The flood intensity of the River Chenab has started to decline at Head Muhammadwala and Sher Shah bridge, reducing fears of embankment breaches. Officials expect further improvement within the next 12 hours as water levels drop at Basti Jhagunwala, Akbar Flood Dyke, Sikandri Nullah, and Sher Shah Dyke. The emergency gauge at Akbar Dyke has receded to 413.5 ft, below the danger level of 417 ft.
Despite the temporary relief, irrigation authorities confirmed that India has released a fresh wave of 550,000 cusecs from Marala Headworks, now approaching Head Trimmu. The surge, expected to reach Multan by Sept 8-9, may intensify flood vulnerability across southern Punjab.
A collapse of the Zamindara bund near Sher Shah earlier this week inundated nearby settlements, including Basti Khokran, forcing residents onto rooftops. However, no new breaches have been reported overnight, with technical inspection teams patrolling dykes continuously.
Floodwaters have affected over 105,000 electricity consumers in the Multan Electric Power Company (MEPCO) region. Power to 147 feeders across 13 districts has been cut under safety protocols. Multan, Bahawalpur, Khanewal, Vehari, and Muzaffargarh are among the hardest hit, though uninterrupted supply continues in protected areas.
State Minister for Power Abdul Rehman Khan Kanju and Commissioner Multan Division Amir Karim Khan visited Lodhran, Khehrorpakka, and Khanwah Ghalwan relief camps, assuring flood victims of full government support. Officials said evacuations have been accelerated and three meals, shelter, and medical facilities are being provided at relief camps. Children were given food and learning materials to maintain morale.
Meanwhile, Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Friday visited flood-ravaged localities of Gujrat. She conducted an aerial survey of submerged areas before touring relief camps in Shahbazpur, where she met displaced families, listened to grievances, and distributed gifts among children.
“People must not feel abandoned. The government will continue to stand with you until life is restored to normality,” Maryam assured flood victims.
Despite ongoing rescue operations, daily life remains paralysed across Gujrat. Major roads are under water, food and medical shortages persist, and transportation has been crippled, leaving many marooned in low-lying neighbourhoods.
The CM also visited Fawara Chowk and Ramtalai Chowk to inspect urban flooding firsthand. She was accompanied by Industries Minister Chaudhry Shafay Hussain, PMLN leaders Muhammad Abdullah Warraich and Nawabzada Ghazanfar Ali Gul, PTI’s MNA Muhammad Ilyas Chaudhry, and PMLN’s Saifur Rehman Bhatti Advocate. However, several prominent local leaders were absent, drawing criticism from citizens.
While the district administration briefed Maryam on rescue efforts, residents complained that relief remained slow and inadequate. “We have no food, no medicines, and no way to travel. Politicians come and go, but our suffering continues,” a flood victim at Shahbazpur camp lamented.
Separately, Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari Friday urged Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and the federal government to declare an agricultural emergency, stressing that Punjab’s farmers have been devastated by the recent floods.
Speaking to the media during his visit to flood-hit areas of Kasur, he said, “Agriculture is the backbone of our economy, and farmers need immediate support with seeds, fertilizers, loan relief, and electricity bill concessions.” He called on PM Shehbaz Sharif to extend financial aid to affected families through the Benazir Income Support Programme (BISP) and initiate large-scale reconstruction in Punjab, similar to Sindh’s housing projects.
The PPP chairman lauded Punjab CM Maryam Nawaz Sharif for her “round-the-clock efforts” in leading Punjab’s relief operations. “The Punjab government is working hard, and Maryam Nawaz and her team deserve credit,” he said, while stressing that no single government could tackle the calamity alone.
Bilawal was accompanied by Governor Punjab Sardar Saleem Haider, former prime minister Raja Pervaiz Ashraf, PPP leaders Nadeem Afzal Chan, Qamar Zaman Kaira, Hassan Murtaza, and others. The delegation visited the Talwar Post relief camp, met displaced families, and reviewed ongoing rescue efforts.
Criticizing India, Bilawal accused New Delhi of violating the Indus Waters Treaty by failing to share flood data and releasing river water without warning. He described it as “water terrorism” and vowed to raise the issue internationally.
Assuring full PPP support, Bilawal directed his party workers to remain active in relief and rehabilitation. “We must stand united to support Punjab, KP, and Gilgit-Baltistan. Together, we will not abandon the flood victims,” he pledged.
Later in the evening, Bilawal telephoned PM Shehbaz Sharif and conveyed the concerns of local farmers and apprised him of the widespread devastation, faced by the agriculture sector across Punjab. He urged the federal government to work in coordination with the Punjab administration to extend maximum relief to farmers in the disaster-hit districts. He specifically called for the waiver of electricity bills for farmers in flood-affected areas, as well as concessions on the repayment of agricultural loans, either through complete waiver or deferred payments.
“Today, I met farmers in Kasur who have lost their livelihoods. The federal government must step in to support Punjab’s farmers during this crisis,” he told the prime minister. PM Shehbaz assured Bilawal that the federal government would take every possible step to provide relief to farmers in flood-hit areas.
Separately, South Punjab Additional Chief Secretary (ACS) Fuad Hashim Rabbani expressed strong displeasure over the negligence of Khairpur Tamewali administration after finding residents stranded in waterlogged homes in Goth Muhammad Shah for three days without rescue. He summoned Assistant Commissioner Shahid Iqbal on the spot and ordered immediate evacuation of trapped families, stressing that “saving human lives is the top priority”.
Later, Rabbani visited the flood relief centre at Government High School Mahar Sharif, Chishtian, where he inspected arrangements for food, medical care, and livestock. He praised Chishtian AC Sahil Cheema for ensuring quality meals, children’s facilities, and fodder supply, assuring victims that rehabilitation measures would follow.
The ACS also accused India of “water aggression”, alleging that staged releases from Indian dams could have prevented the floods.
Meanwhile, Punjab Education Minister and In-charge Flood Operations for Multan Division, Rana Sikandar Hayat, visited flood-hit areas of Multan. He inspected the breaching section at Head Muhammadwala, toured relief camps, and distributed gifts among children. The minister said Punjab is carrying out “the largest rescue operation in its history,” adding that thousands of families have been evacuated through round-the-clock efforts.
Commissioner Amir Karim Khan reported that the water level in the Chenab River is receding, with only one major breach recorded at Basti Gagran’s Zamindara Bund. He confirmed that 93 relief camps are fully operational across the division, sheltering more than 550,000 people and an equal number of livestock.
Deputy Commissioner Waseem Hamid Sindhu said no decision has been taken to breach Head Muhammadwala Road or Sher Shah Bund, as a technical committee continues to monitor the situation.
Meanwhile, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Friday directed the Ministry of Climate Change and Environmental Coordination to initiate immediate preparations for the 2026 monsoon season and submit a comprehensive climate resilience action plan within two weeks, addressing Pakistan’s mounting exposure to climate change, including intense rainfall and flooding.
Chairing a review meeting to assess damage from recent rains and floods, the PM declared rehabilitation of affected citizens a national priority. He ordered full preparedness in riverine areas of southern Pakistan and assured provinces of federal government’s complete support in relief and rehabilitation. He stressed real-time monitoring of evacuation and relief operations and directed a special committee to arrange financial aid for flood victims not registered with NADRA.
Shehbaz Sharif praised NDMA, PDMAs, Pakistan Army, and other agencies for coordinated operations. Officials reported that floodwaters from Ravi, Sutlej, and Chenab have reached parts of central and southern Punjab and are expected to flow through Panjnad. Authorities had prepared for a flow of up to 1.2 million cusecs, though the actual discharge is expected near 600,000 cusecs.
Shehbaz reaffirmed the federal government’s commitment to stand by provinces until rehabilitation is complete and urged Pakistanis at home and abroad to step forward on International Charity Day to support flood victims.
Separately, the Foreign Office (FO) on Friday criticised India for withholding detailed flood data, noting that unlike in the past, New Delhi had only issued warnings through diplomatic channels about possible flooding in the Tawi River. FO spokesperson Shafqat Ali Khan said this fell short of India’s obligations under the Indus Waters Treaty (IWT), which governs water sharing between the two countries. He stressed that India’s unilateral suspension of the treaty earlier this year was a serious violation of international law and threatened regional stability.
At the weekly media briefing, Khan highlighted Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif’s recent visit to China as “highly successful”.
On India’s suspension of the IWT after the April Pahalgam incident, Khan noted that Pakistan denies involvement in the attack and has sought an impartial probe. He warned that India’s actions could have dangerous implications for peace in South Asia.
However, India’s Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) said on Friday that New Delhi had been sharing high flood data with Pakistan through diplomatic channels, including its High Commission in Islamabad, as a ‘humanitarian gesture’.
At the weekly briefing, an MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said, “We have been sharing high flood data with Pakistan through our High Commission, through our diplomatic channels. This is being done as and when required first. You have seen the kind of water that is rainfall that is happening in that part of India and that part of the world. And this is being done based on humanitarian consideration.”
Meanwhile, PTI Chairman Imran Khan’s nephew Amjad Niazi visited the flood-hit areas, including Kothi Fateh Muhammad, on the Sutlej River. Amjad Niazi said while talking to media representatives that the villages of Kali Shahu, Kothi Fateh Muhammad, Daya Singh, Chhabbar, and other areas on both sides of the river, including Khanay Pary, have been completely devastated by the flood, with crops and agricultural land destroyed. However, the camps set up by the government are empty, and there is no administration to speak of.