ISLAMABAD/LAHORE: Pakistan is grappling with one of the worst flood disasters in its history as water levels surge across major rivers, with Punjab being the most severely affected. The National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) and provincial authorities have launched an unprecedented rescue and relief operation as more than 4.2 million people face the devastating impact of the floodwaters.
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The crisis intensified after India officially informed Pakistan about high flood levels in the Sutlej River, particularly at Harike and Ferozepur downstream points. In response, Pakistan’s Ministry of Water Resources issued an alert to all provincial governments and relevant institutions, including NDMA and WAPDA, warning of rapidly rising water levels and directing immediate precautionary action.
SUTLEJ RIVER ON HIGH FLOOD ALERT
According to the Provincial Disaster Management Authority (PDMA) Punjab, the Sutlej River is experiencing extremely high water flows, with the situation expected to worsen in the coming days. Civil administration, Pakistan Army, and emergency response teams are on full alert.
“Protection of lives and property must remain our top priority,” said DG PDMA Irfan Ali Kathia, stressing coordinated efforts across departments. Flood alerts have been sent to the chief secretaries of all provinces, urging them to prepare for potential evacuations and emergency responses.
PUNJAB’S UNPRECEDENTED FLOOD CRISIS
Senior Provincial Minister Marriyum Aurangzeb shared grim statistics, calling it the “biggest flood in Punjab’s history” adding that the province has “never witnessed such a large-scale rescue and relief operation.” Under the leadership of Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif, a province-wide emergency response has been activated, she said.
The ongoing flood crisis in Punjab has had a devastating impact, with over 4.2 million people affected across the province. A total of 4,155 villages have been submerged or damaged by the floodwaters, resulting in the loss of 56 lives. The agricultural sector has suffered immensely, with 1.496 million acres of standing crops destroyed. Authorities have managed to shift 1.6 million livestock to safer locations, while more than 2.2 million people have been evacuated from flood-hit areas between August 23 and September 7, marking one of the largest evacuation efforts in the province’s history.
RELIEF AND MEDICAL EFFORTS INTENSIFY
The government has mobilised massive resources to support flood-affected communities, deploying over 1,000 field hospitals, mobile clinics, and mother-and-child vans across impacted regions. In addition, 494 medical camps and 413 relief camps are operating round the clock, providing critical services to displaced residents.
To safeguard livestock, more than 500 veterinary medical camps have also been established. Authorities are carrying out continuous mosquito spraying and implementing measures to prevent the spread of infectious diseases, while clean drinking water, food supplies, insulin, and essential medicines are being delivered to flood-hit areas.
Meanwhile, drainage systems in affected cities have been activated, with housing, WASA, municipal corporations, and local government departments working tirelessly to divert floodwaters and protect population centers.
FLOOD-AFFECTED AREAS
The floodwaters have wreaked havoc across multiple river systems in Punjab, with 1,957 villages affected by the Chenab River, and 1,477 villages inundated by the Ravi River. The Sutlej River has impacted 625 villages, while along the Indus River, 96 villages have been hit, affecting over 244,000 people. These widespread impacts highlight the scale and severity of the flooding across the province.
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ONGOING MONITORING AND RESPONSE
Floodwater flows are being continuously monitored, and authorities are adjusting their response strategy in real time. Water is being diverted where necessary to protect critical population centers.
As rescue and relief operations continue, the NDMA urges citizens to remain vigilant and follow instructions from local authorities. The public is also encouraged to contribute to ongoing humanitarian efforts where possible.