Lahore, September 12, 2025: Devastating floods continue to wreak havoc across Punjab, submerging more than 4,500 villages and leaving nearly 45 million people affected, according to a report issued by the Punjab Provincial Disaster Management Authority (PDMA).
The worst-hit districts include Jalalpur Pirwala, Shujaabad, Alipur, Ahmedpur Sharqia, Bahawalpur, Bahawalnagar, Rahim Yar Khan, and Liaquatpur, where large swathes of rural areas are under water. In Jalalpur Pirwala alone, 90% of rural settlements and 138 villages have been inundated. Authorities deliberately breached the Gilani embankment near Uch Sharif Road in an attempt to divert floodwaters and protect the main city.
Rescue operations remain underway as thousands of residents continue to evacuate. However, several tragic incidents have occurred: at least 10 people drowned after boats carrying flood victims capsized in different areas, including Khan Bela, Mohana Sandeela, and Noorwala. Among the victims were children, with reports of a two-month-old infant and a four-year-old child among the dead. In other mishaps, dozens of people were rescued safely.
The death toll across Punjab has risen to 97, while more than 24.5 million people have been relocated to safer places. PDMA reports that 396 relief camps have been established and nearly 19 million livestock moved to safety.
Floodwaters have inflicted catastrophic damage on agriculture, with an estimated 21.25 million acres of farmland destroyed. Major crop losses include:
- Cotton: 110,850 acres
- Rice: 970,929 acres
- Maize: 186,419 acres
- Sugarcane: 220,344 acres
- Vegetables: 115,260 acres
- Fodder: 450,000 acres
In addition, dozens of roads and bridges have collapsed, isolating many villages. At least 34 schools in the riverine belt of Bahawalnagar have been closed indefinitely. Shortages of food, medicine, and fodder for animals are worsening in flood-stricken areas.
Meanwhile, rivers across the province are witnessing high to very high flood levels. At Head Panjnad, water flow has surged past 668,000 cusecs, while Head Sidhnai and parts of the Sutlej near Ganda Singh Wala remain in extreme flood. The Indus River continues to swell, with water inflows of 500,000 cusecs at Guddu Barrage, 400,000 cusecs at Sukkur, and 250,000 cusecs at Kotri. Medium-level flooding has been declared in Sindh’s katcha (riverine) areas, where the Pakistan Navy has joined rescue efforts.
Authorities fear further devastation as floodwaters from Punjab continue to move southwards into Sindh. Relief officials warn that the scale of destruction is unprecedented and the humanitarian needs are growing rapidly.
