Lahore/Bahawalpur, September 13, 2025: The Punjab Disaster Management Authority (PDMA) has warned that a massive flood wave of 750,000 cusecs is expected to enter Sindh through Guddu Barrage by Sunday evening, as Punjab reels under one of the worst flood disasters in its history.
Addressing a press conference in Bahawalpur, PDMA Director General Irfan Ali Kathia said the catastrophe has already engulfed 28 districts, affecting over 4.5 million people and submerging 4,744 villages. Nearly 2.527 million people and 2.019 million animals have been evacuated to safer places in what he described as the largest rescue operation in Punjab’s history. Tragically, 101 people have lost their lives, nine others have been injured, and two remain under treatment.
Kathia revealed that in some areas, particularly in south Punjab, residents resisted evacuation despite imminent danger. “We faced challenges due to people’s unwillingness to evacuate, but had to prioritise safety. There were some accidents, which are being investigated,” he said. Large-scale evacuations were completed in Jalalpur Pirwala, while Shujaabad and Jalalpur remain safe from immediate threat.
River levels and forecasts
Water levels remain dangerously high across rivers and barrages. Current flows include 83,000 cusecs at Ganda Singh Wala, 82,000 cusecs at Head Islam, and 92,000 cusecs at Mailsi Siphon. Although inflows are expected to decline over the next 24 hours, Guddu Barrage is forecast to receive 750,000 cusecs, pushing the floodwaters into Sindh.
The Sutlej River has remained in high flood for two months, while the Ravi and Chenab rivers have severely impacted Multan and adjoining areas.
Humanitarian crisis on the ground
In Khanpur’s Chachran Sharif, families remain stranded with livestock as waters rise. Entire settlements in Basti Pahoran, Echchan, Mid Adil, and Mauza Bakhrani are submerged, while residents of Basti Noorai remain trapped inside their homes. Displaced communities have appealed for urgent relocation, but rescue efforts have yet to reach several cut-off areas.
Red alert in Alipur
A red alert has been issued in Alipur, where 572,000 cusecs are flowing through Head Panjnad. Floodwaters have inundated 14 of the tehsil’s 16 union councils, damaging hundreds of thousands of acres of crops. Power and mobile networks are down across most of the city, home to 1.2 million people, triggering a mass exodus.
All educational institutions in Alipur have been shut down, with schools being converted into relief camps for displaced families.
Relief efforts and climate warning
Five Army helicopters have been deployed for rescue and relief in Rahim Yar Khan and Jalalpur Pirwala. While some residents in upper Punjab have begun returning home, authorities warn the number of victims could rise in southern districts as waters spread further.
Reflecting on the disaster, Kathia said this year’s flood at Head Qadirabad surpassed even the historic 1955 deluge. He linked the devastation to climate change and unchecked river encroachments, warning that “an even bigger flood could occur next year” if urgent corrective measures are not taken.
Over the past 14 years, Punjab has disbursed Rs51 billion in compensation for flood damages. Kathia said Chief Minister Punjab is preparing a new, larger package to assist those who lost houses, farmland, and livestock. “All losses will be compensated,” he assured.
