Punjab remained in the grip of a severe flood emergency on Saturday as the Sutlej, Chenab, and Ravi rivers continued to swell, causing widespread devastation across the province.

Authorities have issued a major alert at Head Trimmu in Multan, where a powerful flood wave is expected in the next two to three days.

According to irrigation officials, Head Sulaimanki is experiencing a high-level flood, while Head Islam is facing a medium-level flood.

On the Ravi River, strong waves are passing through Head Balloki and Sidhnai.

Preparations are underway to reinforce embankments at Sher Shah, with contingency plans to breach embankments at Head Muhammadwala and Sher Shah if water levels rise further.

Several rural settlements remain submerged after a breach in the Zamindara embankment, while more than 500,000 cusecs of water passing through Shujabad has inundated vast tracts of land.

In Muzaffargarh, floodwaters from the Chenab have entered three villages, affecting over 2,000 people. In Kasur’s Ganda Singh Wala, the Sutlej River recorded a flow of 311,000 cusecs.

At Chiniot, a high flood wave of 950,000 cusecs in the Chenab was followed by another wave of 550,000 cusecs, devastating several villages.

PDMA issues flood damage report

The Punjab Provincial Disaster Management Authority (PDMA) reported that more than 4,100 villages have been affected, with 50 fatalities due to drowning and 42.25 million people impacted overall.

Relief Commissioner Punjab, Nabeel Javed, said that over 20 million people have been shifted to safer locations.

Across the flood-hit districts, 423 relief camps, 512 medical camps, and 432 veterinary camps have been established. During rescue operations, more than 1.5 million livestock were also relocated.

He added that Mangla Dam is now 87% full and Tarbela Dam has reached 100% capacity. On the Indian side, water storage is at 90% in Bhakra Dam, 99% in Pong Dam, and 97% in Thein Dam, raising fears of additional flood inflows into Pakistan.

Shakargarh among worst-hit areas

In Shakargarh, the floods have devastated 474 villages, submerging vast tracts of farmland. Rescue teams evacuated 4,000 people and hundreds of livestock, but large-scale damage continues.

In Jalalpur Pirwala, water levels in the Chenab and Sutlej have reached dangerous heights, with the flood wave now only a few kilometers from the city.

Meanwhile, in Gujrat, heavy rains have stopped but urban flooding persists, leaving government offices, courts, and business centers under water. Residents are being shifted to safety using boats and tractors.

In Shorkot, floodwaters from the Ravi have engulfed three villages.

Indian water releases intensify crisis

Officials said that water releases from India have significantly raised the levels of the Sutlej and Ravi, submerging hundreds of thousands of acres of farmland in southern and central Punjab. Thousands of affected residents remain in urgent need of government aid and rescue support.