Lahore, September 8, 2025: A severe flood situation has gripped Punjab as water levels in major rivers continue to rise, submerging vast areas and forcing mass evacuations. At Head Panjnad on the River Chenab, the water flow has surged past 609,000 cusecs, creating an extremely high flood situation.
In Jalalpur Pirwala, a breach in the embankment inundated dozens of villages, prompting the Punjab government to declare an emergency. Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz personally monitored overnight evacuation operations, during which 143 people were rescued. In the past 24 hours, more than 2,343 individuals have been moved to safety in Multan, bringing the total number of evacuees from the district to 10,810.
According to official figures, the district administration has so far evacuated 350,000 people and over 300,000 livestock from flood-affected areas. Across Punjab, more than 2 million residents and 1.5 million animals have been displaced.
Floodwaters have inundated villages in Muzaffargarh’s Tehsil Alipur, while the River Sutlej has swelled dangerously in Khairpur Tamewali, breaching the protective embankment at Fazlu Kokara. Thousands of acres of crops have been destroyed in Rahim Yar Khan and Liaquatpur, further compounding the crisis.
Authorities have warned that a major flood wave is expected to pass through Kot Mithan in Rajanpur within hours. The flow at Head Trimmu has reached 543,000 cusecs, while high flood levels are also being recorded at Head Suleimanki, Head Balloki, and Sadhnai. At Head Muhammad Wala, water discharge has risen to 400,000 cusecs, with the PDMA warning that flood conditions in Multan are likely to persist for at least three more days.
Meanwhile, fluctuations continue at Kotri Barrage on the Indus River, where a low-level flood remains in effect. Upstream inflow has dropped to 236,116 cusecs, with an outflow of 231,763 cusecs.
The situation has been further aggravated by India’s release of additional water into the Sutlej River, which Pakistani authorities have termed “water aggression” and a violation of the Indus Waters Treaty. According to the Ministry of Water Resources, the Indian High Commission has issued warnings of extremely high floods at Harike and Ferozepur, triggering emergency alerts to all departments.
In response, rescue efforts have intensified across southern Punjab. Additional boats have been deployed, three helicopters are assisting in evacuations, and the timely opening of the Vehari Bridge has helped divert floodwaters and prevent urban flooding.
The confluence of the Sutlej, Ravi, and Chenab rivers at Panjnad has created one of the worst flood situations in recent years, with vast agricultural lands submerged and thousands of families displaced.
