Flood Alert in Sutlej
PDMA has issued a flood warning from September 1 to 3, with heavy inflows from India expected to enter Pakistan through Nagar Aimenpura in Kasur. Authorities fear that over 30 additional villages downstream could be submerged.
Already, more than 70 villages in Kasur are underwater, while thousands of acres of crops have been destroyed. Over 20,000 acres of farmland have been washed away, leaving farmers in deep financial distress. Crops including maize, rice, millet, cotton, and fodder have been completely ruined.
Destruction Along Sutlej Banks
Erosion continues along multiple points of the riverbanks. Hundreds of houses have been partially damaged, and 10 houses have collapsed entirely. With kacha paths, link roads, and bridges destroyed, ground connectivity to affected areas has been cut off.
Villages in Ganda Singh, Talwar Post, Nagar Aimenpura, Bhedian, and Rajiwala face alarming conditions as floodwaters have entered homes, schools, and mosques. Several villages have been fully evacuated.
Thousands of people are now homeless, with many families forced to live under the open sky. Acute shortages of tents, clean water, medicines, and food have left women, children, and the elderly in severe hardship.
Humanitarian Impact of Sutlej Floods
So far, floods in Sutlej have impacted over 373,000 people and submerged 470 villages. Authorities have shifted more than 229,000 people to safer areas, while 109,000 livestock have also been relocated.
A total of 117 relief camps have been set up, sheltering 656 people, along with 117 medical camps and nearly 100 veterinary camps. Fortunately, no deaths have been reported from Sutlej floods so far.
Chenab River Situation
The Chenab floods have hit much harder, affecting over 1.6 million people and submerging 1,241 villages. So far, 344,000 people and 238,000 livestock have been shifted to safety.
For victims, 151 flood relief camps have been set up, housing 4,226 people. Additionally, 131 medical camps and 97 veterinary camps are operational. Tragically, 30 deaths and 2 injuries have been reported.
Ravi River Situation
Floods in the Ravi River have affected more than 326,000 people and damaged 511 villages. Around 283,000 people and 203,000 livestock have been relocated.
So far, 115 relief camps have been set up with 10,072 people in shelter, along with 127 medical and 133 veterinary camps. The floods have claimed 5 lives and injured 6 others.
Overall Flood Disaster in Punjab
Across Punjab, floods have devastated over 2,200 villages, affecting a total population of 2.33 million. More than 857,000 people have been relocated to safe zones, while 551,000 livestock have also been moved.
In total, 383 relief camps have been established where 14,954 people are living, supported by 375 medical camps and 329 veterinary camps. The floods have claimed 35 lives and injured 8 people so far.
The unfolding flood crisis in Punjab highlights the massive scale of destruction caused by rivers Sutlej, Chenab, and Ravi. With over 2.3 million people affected and thousands of villages underwater, the disaster has devastated agriculture, displaced families, and crippled infrastructure.
Read more: Catastrophic rains, floods to trigger food shortages in Pakistan, warns UN
While relief camps and medical support are being provided, the scale of the tragedy far outweighs the resources at hand. The next 72 hours are critical as inflows continue, especially from India, and could further escalate the humanitarian crisis.
For Pakistan, the floods underline the urgent need for better water management, stronger embankments, and long-term disaster preparedness to protect vulnerable populations and agriculture from recurring devastation.
