MULTAN/ BUREWALA/LAHORE: Relief, rescue and evacuation operations entered their fourth day on Monday in Jalalpur Pirwala where floods have destroyed nearly 90 per cent of the area, submerging crops and mango orchards.
District authorities are focused on protecting urban settlements and have accelerated work to raise embankments along Gillani and Shujaabad Roads. A new crack on the Shujaabad Road was filled with heavy machinery to block advancing water. Deputy Commissioner Waseem Hamid Sindhu visited Alipur, Khan Bela and adjoining embankments with a technical team to inspect ongoing reinforcement and repairs. He said a temporary embankment was being built to halt the spread of Sutlej River water which is now flowing towards Jalalpur Pirwala as Chenab River levels recede. Efforts are also underway to drain water near the Jalalpur Interchange, and the administration is monitoring discharge at Ganda Singh. Additional flood-relief camps have been set up, and residents are being moved to safety.
The deputy commissioner ordered immediate deployment of extra machinery to the flooded section of the motorway, which has been closed to prevent accidents. He assured that traffic would resume as soon as water levels dropped.
Meanwhile, the 327th meeting of the Pakistan Cotton Ginners Association (PCGA), chaired by Senior Vice Chairman Sheikh Fayyaz Ahmed at the PCGA House, Multan, reviewed flood damage to the cotton crop and discussed an action plan for the ginning industry.
Former PCGA chairman Waheed Arshad reported that floods have devastated all major crops, including cotton, with Jalalpur Pirwala and Alipur tehsils losing about 95 per cent of their crops. Lodhran district has lost around 50 per cent. Ex-chairman Muhammad Akram confirmed these figures, while ex-chairman Mahesh Kumar noted that Sindh’s cotton production and quality remained good.
The association estimated that national cotton output could fall by 600,000 to one million bales because of the flooding. Member Salman Maqbool urged documenting all cotton purchases and sales for transparency, introducing a standardized contract form for the purpose. Ex-chairman Mukhtar Ahmed expressed deep concern over the destruction and called for collective efforts to revive the ginning sector.
The meeting was attended by Vice Chairman Raja Ramesh Kumar Atwani, several executive committee members, and senior industry figures.
Rescue 1122 teams are continuing round-the-clock operations in Jalalpur Pirwala Tehsil and Multan, evacuating residents from hard-hit localities such as Dua Chowk, Nooraja Bhutta, and Bahadurpur. Evacuations are also underway in Basti Khan Bela, Basti Jafra, Basti Beth Kech, Basti Ponta, Basti Mahana Sandila, and Basti Kurman Wali.
Officials reported that 24,004 people and 4,437 animals have so far been moved to safe locations in Jalalpur Pirwala, including 1,144 people and 607 animals in the past 24 hours. In Multan Sadar and City tehsils, a total of 9,304 people and 2,998 animals have been evacuated, with 34 more people and 14 animals rescued in the last day. Boats are being used to prioritize the transport of children, women, and the elderly.
In Vehari district, Corps Commander Bahawalpur conducted an aerial survey to assess damage from the overflowing Sutlej River. He was briefed on losses to crops, livestock, and infrastructure and ongoing relief work coordinated with the district administration.
According to the Irrigation Department, a medium-level flood persists at Head Islam, where inflow is 81,768 cusecs and outflow 80,268 cusecs. Flow at Mailsi Siphon stands at 73,130 cusecs. Deputy Commissioner Imrana Tauqir said 88,889 people across the district have been affected, with 85,894 already relocated to safer areas. More than 124,000 livestock have been moved to higher ground, while 77,241 acres of crops are reported damaged. Twenty-one relief camps are currently sheltering 1,389 displaced residents. Medical teams have treated over 20,000 patients, and veterinary staff have cared for more than 11,500 animals, administering 88,000 vaccinations. Authorities said relief and rehabilitation efforts remained in full swing as water levels continued to threaten low-lying areas.
U.S. Chargé d’Affaires Natalie Baker reaffirmed Washington’s unwavering support for Pakistan’s flood-hit communities during a three-day visit to Lahore and Kasur, underscoring a partnership that blends humanitarian assistance with economic cooperation.
During meetings with Punjab Relief Commissioner Nabeel Javed in Lahore, Ms Baker reviewed the province’s ongoing flood-recovery operations and highlighted American contributions to emergency relief. She noted that U.S. assistance had provided “lifesaving support” to thousands of families still grappling with the devastation caused by overflowing rivers and monsoon rains.
The envoy travelled to Kasur — one of the worst-affected districts along the Sutlej River — where she met displaced families and applauded the efforts of rescue workers stationed at relief camps.“I commend the district administration’s integrated approach that ensured not a single life was lost,” Ms Baker said, praising local teams for combining swift evacuation, immediate relief and sustained care. “Their response serves as a model of excellence.”