The Provincial Disaster Management Authority (PDMA) Punjab on Monday issued a high alert, warning of severe flooding in at least nine districts following India’s water aggression, after it unleashed massive flows into Pakistani rivers without prior notice.
The situation has already caused widespread devastation across southern and central Punjab.
According to PDMA, sustained high water pressure in the rivers Ravi, Sutlej, and Chenab will continue for the next three days, before flows merge into the Indus River.
The agency warned that Kasur, Okara, Bahawalnagar, Pakpattan, Vehari, Lodhran, Bahawalpur, Multan, and Muzaffargarh are at risk of inundation.
Indian water release at Nainakot caused surges towards Jassar and Shakargarh, forcing the evacuation of over 3,000 residents and 150 livestock.
In Kasur’s Ganda Singh Wala, 80 villages were submerged as the Sutlej overflowed, while at Head Sulaimanki, another 16 villages and 112 settlements went underwater.
In Pakpattan, 26,000 acres of farmland were destroyed and more than 35,000 people were displaced. Vehari reported over 100,000 affected residents, with thousands still stranded.
Okara’s Mari Pattan area saw water levels rise sharply, submerging 36 villages, while floods at Head Baloki and Sadhnai hit Dipalpur, Renala Khurd, Gogera, and Tandlianwala.
Floodwaters from the Sutlej and Ravi also reached Toba Tek Singh, drowning parts of Kamalia, Pir Mahal, and Adda Hakim.
At Mal Fatyana, the river flows reached 190,000 cusecs, submerging hundreds of acres of agricultural land.
Meanwhile, at Head Trimmu, water levels in the Chenab surged to 479,000 cusecs, creating a “very high flood” situation.
Punjab’s irrigation department confirmed that India opened all gates of Salal Dam, sending 800,000 cusecs into the Chenab.
The floodwaters entered Sialkot, Wazirabad, and Chiniot, reaching Jhang, where around 200 villages and hundreds of homes were submerged.
A major flood wave is expected to pass Multan tonight.
To protect the city, dynamite has been planted along Head Muhammad Wala road, with authorities preparing to breach embankments if necessary.
Punjab Information Minister Azma Bukhari confirmed that 35 people have died in Punjab due to the floods, with Sahiwal, Multan, and Jhang on high alert.
She said Lodhran, Bahawalpur, Multan, and Muzaffargarh remain vulnerable, while Sialkot, Gujrat, Chiniot, and Hafizabad are also at risk over the next 24 to 48 hours.
“This is a super flood, not comparable to the floods of 1988,” Bukhari said.
“In just a few hours, India released massive torrents into our rivers, and Punjab is facing a deluge of destruction. We do not want to politicise this tragedy or respond to negative propaganda.”
Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz visited flood-affected areas of Jhang, where she was briefed on ongoing rescue and relief operations. Authorities deployed drones to assist in evacuations.
Maryam said the protection of lives and property was her government’s top priority.
During her visit, flood victims raised slogans in her support, lauding the relief measures.
