Punjab Rivers Ravage Villages and Crops, 20 Dead as Floods Worsen

Lahore:Punjab is reeling from devastating floods as three major rivers — Ravi, Chenab, and Sutlej — have overflowed, submerging villages, crops, and entire settlements. Thousands of residents have been forced to evacuate as floodwaters, fueled by heavy rainfall and the release of water from India, continue to rise. Several areas of Lahore have also been inundated.

Flood-hit villages and towns in districts including Wazirabad, Kasur, Narowal, Hafizabad, Kamalia, Mandi Bahauddin, Bahawalnagar, Sialkot, Sargodha, Vehari, and Pakpattan now resemble rivers. Many people have taken refuge on rooftops of submerged houses, while others carry whatever belongings they can salvage to safer ground. In multiple areas, temporary embankments have collapsed, worsening the crisis.

According to PDMA Director General Irfan Kathia, climate change has intensified unexpected rainfall patterns, severely damaging crops across Punjab. “Climate change is a reality, and ignoring it in planning will always result in loss,” he said. He confirmed that 20 deaths have been reported so far, with Gujranwala suffering the highest human toll. The Punjab government has announced compensation of Rs. 1 million for each victim’s family. Over 300,000 livestock have been rescued.

In Faisalabad, low-lying areas near Tandlianwala are being evacuated due to rising water levels in the Ravi, while water flow at Chiniot Bridge on the Chenab has surged to 830,100 cusecs. At Shahdara, the Ravi River is at extremely high flood levels, submerging Farukhabad, Aziz Colony, Amin Park, Afghan Colony, Shafiqabad, and Mureedwala.

Deputy Commissioner of Rajanpur, Shafqatullah Mushtaq, warned of an extremely high flood threat in the Indus River, with evacuation and relief camps set up nearby. Health, livestock, and rescue departments have been mobilized, and police continue evacuation operations in riverine areas.

In Multan, authorities fear a dangerous Chenab flood wave could enter city limits within 24 to 48 hours. A breach at Head Muhammad Wala has been planned to protect urban populations. Relief and rescue efforts are being carried out by Rescue 1122, local volunteers, the Pakistan Army, and Rangers.

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz visited flood-hit areas on Sunday, reviewing ongoing operations and directing authorities to accelerate relief activities.