The situation of floods in Punjab turned more alarming on Wednesday after India released additional water into the Sutlej River. Authorities in Lahore said high flood warnings were issued at two critical points — Harike and Ferozepur — where the Sutlej is swelling fast. Following the Indian announcement, the Ministry of Water Resources sent an emergency alert to all departments concerned.
Meanwhile, the Chenab River wreaked havoc in South Punjab. A protective embankment collapsed near Jalalpur Pirwala, unleashing powerful waves of water. Hundreds of houses were damaged, and thousands of acres of crops were destroyed in the process. Villages like Umarpur and Inayatpur are at risk of being fully submerged, while officials fear the floodwater may enter Jalalpur Pirwala city soon.
A fresh wave of flooding in Punjab is moving towards Multan. Authorities warned that the Chenab’s surge could hit the Head Muhammad Wala area. To shield the city, a controversial plan has been drawn up to breach the Shershah embankment. This would redirect water and reduce pressure on Multan. Embankments at Akbar Bund and Graywala Bund are also under watch, as many nearby settlements have already gone underwater.
On the directions of Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz, the Punjab government scaled up rescue operations. Relief supplies and emergency teams have been dispatched to Multan, Muzaffargarh, Bahawalpur, Lodhran, and Rahim Yar Khan. Rescue boats have also been sent to these cities to save people trapped in floodwater.
In Basti Baharan, a breach at the Baloch Wah embankment forced urgent evacuation of Jalalpur Pirwala and nearby villages. CM Maryam Nawaz assigned the Multan commissioner and deputy commissioner to supervise field operations. Teams from the Pakistan Army and the Irrigation Department joined the effort to repair the breach and relocate residents to safer areas.
The threat of Punjab floods is not limited to the Sutlej and Chenab. The Indus River is also rising dangerously. The water level at Guddu Barrage has been climbing steadily, putting low-lying areas in Kashmore’s katcha belt at serious risk.
According to PDMA Sindh, up to 200 villages could be affected if the situation worsens. Nearly 224,000 people in Sindh may face displacement due to the advancing waters. Officials warned that the situation could turn critical if the Indus continues to swell.