Punjab is reeling under widespread destruction caused by severe flooding, with more than 3,900 villages submerged and at least 49 people confirmed dead.

Over 1.5 million acres of fertile agricultural land have been inundated, wiping out standing crops and leaving farmers devastated.

According to official figures, more than 3.8 million people have been directly affected, while nearly 1.84 million have been displaced to relief camps set up across 25 districts, including Lahore, Rawalpindi, Gujrat, Sialkot, Mandi Bahauddin and Wazirabad.

India’s water release worsens crisis

Authorities say the situation has worsened due to India’s release of water into the Sutlej, Ravi and Chenab rivers, which officials describe as an act of “water aggression” that has ruined farmers and forced poor families from their homes.

The Provincial Disaster Management Authority has issued high-flood alerts, while Director General Irfan Ali Kathia said the civil administration, the Pakistan Army and all relevant agencies remain on high alert to safeguard lives and property.

Punjab’s rivers and canals under pressure

In Muzaffargarh, the Chenab River at Shershah has risen to a dangerous level, submerging dozens of villages.

The Shujabad Canal and parts of Kasur are facing continued water surges, while in Multan, the intensity of water at the Akbar Flood Bund has begun to ease slightly.

Head Muhammadwala Road remains closed for the fourth consecutive day, while in Depalpur, thousands of acres of crops have been destroyed by persistent high-level flooding.

At Suleimanki Headworks, water flow has surged to 140,000 cusecs, inundating streams and settlements in four tehsils of Bahawalpur.

At Head Islam, water levels reached 102,000 cusecs, causing a breach near Fato Wali that submerged villages in Bahawalnagar.

Breaches in the Rango Canal have also swept away dozens of settlements. At Mailsi Head Siphon, rising water drowned entire villages, while in Arifwala, one man lost his life after being swept away. Crops in Hasilpur have also been destroyed.

Urban flooding cripples Gujrat

Urban flooding has worsened conditions in Gujrat, where stormwater drains have overflowed into residential and commercial areas.

GT Road and the General Bus Stand remain submerged, forcing the closure of businesses and educational institutions.

Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz visited Gujrat, where she conducted an aerial survey of the flood-hit areas and reviewed relief operations.

In Hafizabad, what locals describe as the worst flood in history swept away entire villages.

Residents recounted tales of survival, including that of Feroz Din from Kot Kamir, who spent 24 hours perched on a tree with his six children after his home and livestock were washed away.

“The cruel waves took everything from me,” he said, now forced to live on borrowed land.

PDMA confirms widespread impact

The PDMA’s latest report confirmed that 3,900 settlements in Punjab have been affected by flooding in the Ravi, Sutlej and Chenab rivers.

A total of 3.892 million people have been impacted, with 466 villages declared disaster-hit.

Relief Commissioner Punjab said 415 relief camps have been established, along with 398 veterinary and several medical facilities.

Water levels in Mangla and Tarbela dams have reached 87 and 100 per cent of capacity, respectively, while India’s Bhakra Dam is now at 84 per cent, Pong Dam at 98 per cent and Thein Dam at 92 per cent.

Flood surge enters Sindh

Meanwhile, in Sindh, more than 357,000 cusecs of water have entered Guddu Barrage, according to the Sindh Irrigation Department.

Upstream inflow at Guddu has been recorded at 357,196 cusecs, with a downstream discharge of 337,746 cusecs.

At Sukkur Barrage, inflow stands at 322,227 cusecs, with 245,220 cusecs released downstream.

At Kotri Barrage, water inflow is measured at 251,558 cusecs, with 222,553 cusecs discharged.

Sindh Information Minister Sharjeel Inam Memon said the flood situation is being monitored round the clock and all institutions are on alert. He confirmed that more than 94,000 people have been evacuated from katcha, or riverine, areas to safer locations as the province braces for further flood impacts.