LAHORE: Authorities in Punjab have evacuated close to 150,000 people from low-lying settlements as floodwaters rise and forecasters warn of more heavy monsoon rains in the days ahead.
The National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) confirmed that mass relocations were under way after water levels surged in the Sutlej River, prompting “high flood” warnings across multiple districts. Emergency teams have been deployed and local administrations ordered to stay on maximum alert.
According to official figures, Bahawalnagar has seen the largest displacement with nearly 90,000 residents moved to safety. Evacuations were also reported in Kasur (14,140), Okara (2,063), Pakpattan (873), Bahawalpur (361) and Vehari (165). Officials noted that around 40,000 people had shifted soon after early warnings were issued, easing the pace of later operations.
Provincial authorities described the exercise as one of the largest evacuation drives in recent years, with rescue workers operating round the clock. The Punjab Provincial Disaster Management Authority (PDMA) said district administrations were tasked to secure lives and property, while citizens were urged to avoid flood-prone areas and unnecessary travel.
State broadcaster PTV reported that water discharge in the Sutlej has touched 195,000 cusecs — a level termed “extremely high” by the authorities. The situation remains volatile in adjoining rivers as well: the Pakistan Meteorological Department has cautioned of rising flows in the Chenab and Ravi, warning that rainfall over the eastern river catchments is likely to intensify.
On Monday, PDMA bulletins had already declared “high flood” conditions at multiple points along the Sutlej, instructing district administrations to maintain heightened preparedness. A separate advisory by India, forecasting a surge in cross-border river inflows, has further raised alarm.
Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz has directed officials to move people living near embankments and low-lying villages. The Ministry of Climate Change has meanwhile signalled a “high risk” of both riverine and urban flooding in Gujranwala, Gujrat and Lahore divisions.
Rescue 1122 spokesperson Farooq Ahmad told reporters that more than 24,000 people had been shifted from danger zones along the Indus, Chenab, Ravi and Sutlej rivers since Saturday.
This year’s monsoon, worsened by glacier melt and record downpours, has underscored Pakistan’s vulnerability to climate extremes. With warnings still in place, authorities stress that the scale of evacuations could rise further if rains continue at the predicted intensity.
