The Punjab Provincial Disaster Management Authority (PDMA) has issued an alert for the 11th spell of monsoon rains, expected from September 16 to 19, warning of fresh flooding in rivers and streams across Punjab.
“There is a risk of flooding in rivers and streams due to monsoon rains,” said DG PDMA Irfan Ali Kathia, urging citizens to avoid unnecessary travel, stay away from rivers, and immediately contact the 1129 helpline in emergencies.
All commissioners, deputy commissioners, and relevant departments, including health, irrigation, communication, and livestock, have been placed on high alert.
Villages submerged and lives uprooted as Punjab reels under relentless floods. Photo: Express
Floods across Punjab
The breach at the Nooraja Bhutta embankment has displaced thousands, submerging dozens of villages. The Chenab River’s water level is receding near Jalalpur Pirwala, though combined waters from the Sutlej and Chenab continue to damage infrastructure.
At Head Muhammadwala, the Chenab carries a flow of 175,000 cusecs, with levels rapidly declining at Sher Shah Bridge.
Floodwaters released from the Head Panjnad have inundated 80 per cent of Alipur’s land, displacing vast populations. Residents are pleading with authorities for evacuation support. In Alipur tehsil, the land route to Seetpur has been cut off, leaving populations stranded.
At Sher Shah Bridge, the Chenab’s water level has dropped to 392.70, while at Head Panjnad it has reduced by more than 200,000 cusecs, standing at 411,116 cusecs.
Despite receding waters, devastation persists, over 150 villages and 150,000 acres of standing crops have been destroyed, displacing hundreds of thousands.
Rescue operations are ongoing; of the six people swept away, three bodies remain missing.
Villages submerged and lives uprooted as Punjab reels under relentless floods. Photo: Express
At least six people have died in Uch Sharif, more than 200 villages remain submerged. Rescue teams are working to evacuate those trapped. Residents have complained that private boat operators are charging exorbitant fees to transport belongings and livestock, calling on authorities to intervene and provide relief.
At Kot Mithan, a flood surge from the Head Panjnad has entered the Indus, where 751,212 cusecs of water are passing. Populations in katcha (riverine) areas are migrating as the Mashori Bund and Manchan Bund face severe risk.
Police and rescue teams continue the evacuation, while protective embankments are being reinforced with stones.
At Chachran Sharif, the Indus carried 749,279 cusecs at 6 am today, expected to decline to 565,592 cusecs tomorrow morning. At Taunsa, flows stood at 143,040 cusecs, while at Panjnad, discharges were recorded at 422,552 cusecs.
Floodwaters have entered settlements after the Dhondho breach widened beyond 200 feet. Affected areas include Gardezpur, Banglala, Marha, Rukan Hatti, and Soman Kha. Many residents have taken shelter on embankments, awaiting aid.
Floodwaters swallow roads, villages, and livelihoods across Punjab. Photo: Express
Embankments and protective measures
In flood-hit districts, authorities are struggling to secure damaged riverbanks. In Shujaabad, the breach at Dhondho has widened to more than 200 feet, with floodwaters flowing into surrounding settlements. Heavy machinery is in use, but the breach remains unsealed.
In Multan, the Nooraja Bhutta embankment on the Sutlej River has been breached for two consecutive days, flooding more than 100 villages.
Repair works have yet to begin. The Jalalpur Pirwala Interchange is closed, and floodwaters have engulfed both sides of the motorway. Authorities are placing large stones on the Uch Sharif Superhighway in an effort to prevent further damage.
Construction has begun on a protective embankment along the River Ravi near Park View City in Lahore. The project, financed independently by Park View City, spans seven kilometres with a 40-foot width and is expected to be completed within 100 days.
According to the administration, the embankment is designed not only as a safety measure but also as an architectural landmark, featuring cycling and jogging tracks, lighting, and security cameras.
From submerged homes to rescues, Punjab’s flood-hit districts struggle to survive. Photo: Express
At the inauguration ceremony, Park View City announced a Rs1 billion relief package for flood victims, waiving development charges for affected residents for two months and pledging more funds if required. Relief packages will be delivered directly to homes.
CEO Junaid Amin, Director of Sales Naeem Warraich, and MPA Shoaib Siddiqui attended the event, where residents praised the initiative. Officials also confirmed approval for a dedicated power grid station for Park View.
Rescue and relief operations
Punjab Police’s rescue operation continues at scale. According to IGP Dr Usman Anwar, 693,706 citizens have been moved to safe locations, including 277,442 men, 227,101 women, and 189,163 children. Additionally, 626,689 livestock have been shifted.
The mission involves over 16,000 officers and personnel, 770 vehicles, and 40 boats, supported by drone cameras and Safe City thermal imaging technology.
“The operation will continue until the last citizen is shifted to safety,” Dr Anwar emphasized. From the Multan region, 295,480 people have been rescued, while 95,204 were evacuated from the Dera Ghazi Khan region.
The Pakistan Army and Rescue 1122 are also engaged in relief efforts, particularly in Uch Sharif, where more than 200 villages, including Bet Ahmad, Chak Kehl, Bakhtiari, Rasoolpur, and Moza Gumani, remain underwater.
Six people have already drowned, and many are struggling to move their belongings and livestock. Locals complained that private boat owners are demanding high charges, urging authorities to intervene.
Rescue teams work tirelessly to help flood-hit families reach safety in Punjab. Photo: Express
Political and Ministerial visits
Provincial Law Minister Malik Sohaib Ahmed Bharath has been in the field for a week, supervising relief in Jalalpur Pirwala, Liaqat Chowk, Alipur, and Seetpur. He distributed tents and rations, joined rescue teams on boats, and inspected drone operations. Provincial Home Secretary Ahmed Javed Qazi accompanied him.
“Relief activities in flood-affected areas are continuing rapidly,” Bharath said, noting that Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz, Senior Minister Marriyum Aurangzeb, and other provincial ministers are also present in the field.
On CM Punjab’s instructions, Marriyum Aurangzeb visited Seetpur by boat, distributing tents and food while meeting flood victims in relief camps. “Your sister, daughter, and mother, Maryam Nawaz, has sent me to be with you in your time of suffering. InshaAllah, she will compensate for your losses,” she told residents.
Aurangzeb added that Alipur is completely submerged and stressed the need for a rapid assessment of damages. Flood victims recalled Nawaz Sharif’s visits during past floods, saying, “In the past, Nawaz Sharif himself came during floods, and today his daughter has sent you to us.”
Federal Finance Minister Muhammad Aurangzeb also reaffirmed the government’s commitment to rehabilitation during a briefing in Toba Tek Singh. Nearly 80 villages were reported to be inundated there.
Visiting Mill Fatyana Bridge, he directed faster response, praised rescue teams, and announced a forthcoming relief package for farmers. He also warned against artificial inflation, urging provincial coordination on economic decisions.
