Pakistan’s Ministry of Water Resources has issued an emergency alert after India released additional water into the Sutlej River. Punjab authorities are on high alert as floodwaters threaten Harike, Ferozepur, and the southern districts, leading to large-scale evacuations.
The Ministry of Water Resources confirmed that India had informed Pakistan through diplomatic channels about the increased water discharge into the Sutlej. High-level flooding is anticipated in Harike and Ferozepur, and the Provincial Disaster Management Authority (PDMA) has warned of further increases in river flows. The civil administration, Pakistan Army, and other relevant departments have been mobilized to safeguard lives and property.
In Multan, authorities are planning a controlled breach at the Sher Shah embankment to divert the rising waters of the Chenab River. The irrigation department expects flows of over 540,000 cusecs from Trimmu, with Sher Shah already recording 400,000 cusecs. Nearby communities have been put on evacuation notice, and both rail and road traffic will be suspended to ensure public safety.
Nationwide Flood Impact and Relief Operations
According to the Planning Commission, floods have impacted over 4,300 villages and affected 4.2 million people across the country. Approximately 2.16 million people who were trapped by the floodwaters have been relocated to safer areas.
Damage statistics include:
- Punjab: 216 deaths, 625 injuries, 232 houses damaged, 121 livestock lost
- Khyber Pakhtunkhwa: 484 deaths, 355 injuries, 4,666 houses damaged, 5,460 livestock killed
- Balochistan: 26 deaths, 5 injuries, 781 houses damaged, 62 livestock lost
- Gilgit-Baltistan: 87 deaths, 52 injuries, 1,253 houses damaged
- Azad Jammu & Kashmir: 30 deaths, 29 injuries, 2,078 houses damaged
- Islamabad: 8 deaths, 3 injuries, 65 houses damaged
So far, 672 km of roads and 239 bridges have been damaged. The Planning Commission is expected to release a comprehensive report on economic losses within two weeks.
Rescue and relief efforts are in full swing. Rescue 1122 reported evacuating 2,343 people in Multan over the past 24 hours, bringing the total number of people rescued to 10,810. Overall, 350,000 people and more than 300,000 animals have been relocated. Emergency teams, including 50 additional boats and five drones, are assisting in the rescue operations.
Tragic incidents include a capsized boat in Rahim Yar Khan’s Moza Noor Wala, which resulted in five deaths, while four others drowned in Jalalpur Pirwala. Hundreds of villages in Muzaffargarh and Jhang remain submerged, with floodwaters also affecting the tent settlements set up for displaced families.
Dams Near Full Capacity
Tarbela Dam has reached its maximum storage capacity of 1,550 feet, while Mangla Dam is at 90% capacity (1,232.95 feet). Other reservoirs, including Khanpur, Rawal, and Simli, are also nearing full levels, raising concerns of additional flooding if heavy rainfall persists.
The National Emergency Operations Centre (NEOC) has issued alerts for Punjab, Sindh, and Balochistan, warning of potential river overflows, urban flooding, and landslides in mountainous regions.
