Lahore, Sept 8, 2025: Punjab faces one of its worst flood crises in recent years as swollen rivers submerge vast stretches of land, displacing millions and forcing mass evacuations.
At Head Panjnad, the River Chenab surged past 609,000 cusecs and breached embankments in Jallo Pirwala, submerging more than 50 villages. Rescue teams launched emergency operations under the direct supervision of Punjab’s Chief Minister.
Rescue workers pulled 143 people to safety overnight in Jallo Pirwala and evacuated 2,343 people from Multan within 24 hours. They have so far rescued more than 10,800 residents from Multan’s flood-hit areas.
District authorities evacuated nearly 350,000 people and 300,000 animals, while province-wide operations moved two million people and 1.5 million livestock to safety.Floodwaters devastated Muzaffargarh’s Ali Pur tehsil, drowning entire villages.
In Khairpur Tamewali, the River Sutlej breached dykes at Fazlu Kokara, while in Rahim Yar Khan and Liaquatpur, torrents destroyed thousands of acres of standing crops, intensifying fears of food shortages.
Officials warned that a major flood wave will pass through Kot Mithan in Rajanpur and placed rescue services on high alert. At Head Trimmu, the flow reached 543,000 cusecs, and authorities cautioned that the surge will hit Multan later today, extending flooding there for three more days.
Other headworks also reported high flood levels. Head Muhammadwala recorded 400,000 cusecs, while Head Sulemanki, Head Balloki, and Sadhnai continued to face heavy flows.In Sindh, the Indus River at Kotri Barrage came under strain with an inflow of 236,116 cusecs and an outflow of 231,763 cusecs. Although inflows dropped by 8,167 cusecs in the last 24 hours, officials confirmed that low-level flooding persisted and continued to endanger downstream settlements.
Rescue teams, supported by the army, civil administration, and volunteers, worked around the clock and set up relief camps across Punjab.
Displaced families struggled with shortages of food, drinking water, and medical supplies, despite ongoing efforts to provide assistance.
Officials urged residents in low-lying areas to stay alert and comply with evacuation orders as advancing floodwaters threatened more communities.