Lahore, August 30, 2025: The Provincial Disaster Management Authority (PDMA) Punjab has issued a fresh assessment of the devastating floods caused by overflowing Ravi, Sutlej, and Chenab rivers. The disaster has inundated more than 2,308 villages, directly impacting 1.516 million people across the province.
At least 30 lives have been lost, including two in Lahore due to lightning strikes. Croplands, homes, and critical infrastructure have suffered extensive damage. In Mashiran Wala, Terah Patti, and Ahmad Wala, embankment failures have submerged hundreds of acres of farmland, while in Ahmedpur Sharqia, locally built bunds collapsed, forcing villagers to evacuate. Multan faces rising threats from the Chenab, with locals voicing concern over inadequate preparations.
Relief Commissioner Nabeel Javed confirmed that 511 relief camps are providing food and shelter, supported by 351 medical camps and 321 veterinary camps. More than 481,000 people have been evacuated to safer zones, while 405,000 livestock have been secured.
The Pakistan Army has expanded operations in Jhang, Faisalabad, Chiniot, and Toba Tek Singh, using helicopters and boats for evacuations. Of the 15,800 people trapped in Faisalabad’s villages, over 14,000 have been rescued. Controlled breaches are also being executed to divert floodwaters downstream.
Senior Provincial Minister Maryam Aurangzeb said that under the directives of Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif, all provincial departments are on high alert. She confirmed 68,000 people rescued in the last 36 hours using 808 boats, and pledged a post-flood crackdown on riverside encroachments alongside a long-term flood management strategy.
Hydrological data shows fluctuating river flows:
- Chenab: 111,000 cusecs at Marala, 170,000 at Khanki, 171,000 at Qadirabad, and 146,000 at Trimmu.
- Ravi: 78,000 cusecs at Jassar, 138,000 at Shahdara (receding), 199,000 at Balloki (rising).
- Sutlej: A major surge with 303,000 cusecs at Ganda Singh Wala and 138,000 at Sulemanki.
- Indus: High-level flooding warnings issued in Rajanpur, with evacuations underway.
Reservoirs remain under stress: Mangla Dam at 80% capacity, Tarbela at full, while across the border Bhakra, Pong, and Thein dams are nearing maximum levels.
Meanwhile, heavy monsoon rains have compounded the situation — 81mm in Mandi Bahauddin, 63mm in Hafizabad, 50mm in Jhelum, 47mm in Sialkot, and 44mm in Bahawalnagar.
The PDMA has warned that the monsoon spell will persist until September 2, raising concerns of further flooding. Sindh remains on high alert, with Punjab’s floodwaters expected to merge at Chahran Sharif before reaching Guddu Barrage between September 2 and 3.
