LAHORE:
Punjab is facing what officials call the worst flooding in its history, with more than 2.4 million people affected and thousands of villages inundated, according to the Provincial Disaster Management Authority (PDMA).
Provincial Disaster Management Authority (PDMA) Director General Irfan Ali Kathia said on Monday that torrential monsoon rains and surging river flows have submerged over 3,100 villages and nearly 2,900 hamlets across the province.
He said rescue agencies are carrying out the largest operation in their history, evacuating more than 900,000 residents to safer areas.
Floodwaters have also forced the relocation of more than 600,000 livestock, with the livestock department providing feed and temporary shelter. Authorities have established 390 relief camps and tent cities for displaced families.
Kathia confirmed that at least 41 people have died and eight others have been injured in the disaster so far.
He said coordinated decisions and swift evacuations had prevented heavier loss of life despite the magnitude of the floods.
On river flows, Kathia noted that no new surge had entered Pakistan from India through Head Marala, though persistent rainfall continues to raise water levels in various tributaries.
At Nullah Leh in Rawalpindi, flood levels reached 19 feet at Katarian Bridge following fresh downpours.
Briefings were given to the Punjab chief minister at Head Trimmu, where officials confirmed the structure remains stable.
Controlled breaches have been carried out in some areas, including at Rewas Bridge, to ease pressure on flood-hit districts such as Jhang.
Authorities said water from the Chenab is expected to reach Multan on Tuesday, combining with inflows from the Ravi.
At Sadhnai, a major flood surge may require a breach near Safora overnight, potentially affecting 14 villages and 17,000 acres of farmland.
At Head Muhammadwala, flows could reach up to 650,000 cusecs, with officials warning that as many as 16 villages may be impacted if breaching becomes necessary.
Looking ahead, PDMA estimates that flows at Panjnad are expected to peak on September 5, though at lower levels than previously forecast. Meanwhile, water from the Sutlej continues to move toward Suleimanki and Head Islam.
“Rescue teams are working tirelessly, and despite the widespread damage, timely measures have prevented higher casualties,” Kathia said.
Officials warned that two more days of monsoon rains are forecast across Punjab, which could complicate relief operations and further swell the rivers.
Meanwhile, Rescue 1122 continued its large-scale flood evacuation operations across Punjab on Monday, rescuing more than 32,000 people in a single day from flood-affected districts.
The latest operations included the rescue of 11,747 individuals from Bahawalpur, 5,935 from Rahim Yar Khan, 2,114 from Pakpattan, 1,605 from Okara, 1,560 from Vehari, 1,216 from Toba Tek Singh, 1,117 from Hafizabad, 1,098 from Lahore, 1,013 from Nankana Sahib, 994 from Kasur, 762 from Bahawalnagar, 715 from Jhang, and 480 from Multan.
Additionally, smaller-scale evacuations were conducted in Narowal (357), Lodhran (251), Gujranwala (244), Muzaffargarh (183), Khanewal (162), Sahiwal (137), Faisalabad (114), Chiniot (104), Sheikhupura (127), and Dera Ghazi Khan, Rajanpur, and Sargodha (47 combined). Rescue 1122 teams safely transported thousands of stranded residents to secure locations, with simultaneous efforts to evacuate over 28,600 livestock from flooded farmlands and riverine areas.
