Floodwaters from the Sutlej, Ravi, and Chenab rivers continue to submerge vast areas of Multan, Bahawalpur, Lodhran, Muzaffargarh, and Khanewal districts. The deluge has displaced thousands and caused extensive damage to infrastructure.
Controlled breaches meant to divert the rivers’ flow have failed to contain the rising water, leading to dozens of villages being submerged and major transport routes being crippled. A controlled breach at Noraja Bhutta Bund in Jalalpur Pirwala, intended to relieve pressure on the swelling Sutlej, caused water to surge toward Gillani Road. This prompted a second breach that ultimately flooded both urban and rural settlements. The floodwaters reached the Sukkur-Multan Motorway, forcing its closure for the past two days, with the Jalalpur Pirwala Interchange now completely underwater.
Impact and Relief Efforts Villages affected include Noraja Bhutta, Mouza Kanu, Wasti Sardar Mir Chakar Khan, Sardarabad, Taranda Basharat, and Rasoolpur. Rescue teams have recovered the body of a 65-year-old man from Bahadarpur near the Jalalpur Interchange. Deputy Commissioner Waseem Hamid Sindhu reported that traffic has been completely suspended from Multan to Uch Sharif due to the motorway being inundated, but stated that water levels are expected to return to normal within the next 24 hours.
According to the Punjab Provincial Disaster Management Authority (PDMA), over 4,700 villages have been affected by severe flooding in the three rivers, and 2.564 million people have been evacuated to safer locations. The authority has established 372 relief camps, 454 medical camps, and 385 veterinary camps in the most severely affected districts.
Monsoon and Dengue Outbreak Warning The PDMA has issued an alert for the 11th monsoon spell, which began today (Tuesday). An increase in water flow is expected in the streams and nullahs of Rawalpindi, Murree, and Galiyat on September 18 and 19. The authority has directed all commissioners and deputy commissioners to remain alert as the risk of flooding persists in major cities.
In light of the widespread flooding, the Pakistan Meteorological Department (PMD) has warned of a favorable environment for a dengue outbreak. The PMD’s alert states that the combination of weather conditions and flood-related waterlogging has created ideal conditions for the onset of dengue from September 20. Cities like Karachi, Lahore, Islamabad, Faisalabad, Sialkot, Rawalpindi, Peshawar, Sukkur, Hyderabad, and Multan, as well as all other flood-affected areas, are at a high risk of a severe dengue outbreak. The PMD has advised all stakeholders and the public to take immediate preventative measures to counter this risk.
