South Punjab is facing a heartbreaking series of boat capsizing tragedies during the ongoing flood rescue operations. Nearly 30 people have lost their lives while several others remain missing. Most of the victims include children, women, and the elderly who could not survive the powerful water currents.
Officials confirm that at least 10 separate incidents of boats overturning have been reported in flood-hit districts. These include Jalalpur Pirwala, Liaquatpur, Minchinabad, Alipur, and Uch Sharif. Rescue teams explain that these accidents happened as they worked round the clock to evacuate thousands trapped by rising waters. Search efforts are still underway to find at least eight missing people.
Rescue DG and Emergency Services Secretary Dr. Rizwan defended the ongoing operations despite the fatal boat capsizing events. He described the accidents as rare but unavoidable when dealing with a disaster of this scale. “When 320,000 people are evacuated and floods strike in three rivers at the same time, such incidents are very few. If the disaster is this large, such minor accidents can happen,” he explained.
Provincial ministers also commented on the situation. Rana Sikandar Hayat and Malik Sohaib Ahmed Barth said panic and disorder among flood victims were major causes of these boat accidents. They explained that when rescue boats arrive, frightened residents rush forward in excitement. “They do not listen to instructions and try to jump onto the boats at once,” the ministers observed.
Authorities reveal that many who drowned were vulnerable—especially children, women, and elderly residents. They could not withstand the strong flood currents when the boats turned over. With three major rivers overflowing at the same time, the pressure on rescue operations has become overwhelming. The struggle continues as rescuers battle against nature and rising waters while mourning the repeated boat capsizing incidents.
