Punjab floods: Death toll rises to 46, NDMA issues alert after rising water level at Sutlej

Lahore (Web Desk): Severe flooding across Punjab has claimed 46 lives, while more than 3,900 villages have been hit hard by the disaster, the Provincial Disaster Management Authority (PDMA) reported.

In an update shared by the Punjab government on X, the authority stated that the calamity has affected over 3.8 million people, though rescue operations have managed to bring 1.8 million to safety.

To deal with the crisis, authorities have established more than 400 relief camps in addition to 444 medical camps and 395 veterinary camps in flood-ravaged areas, ensuring assistance for both the population and their livestock.

Meanwhile, Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz paid a visit to the flood relief camp set up at Chuhng on Multan Road, where she met families affected by the disaster, particularly women and children.

She was briefed by officials that milk was being provided for children, fumigation activities were in progress to prevent the outbreak of diseases, and field hospitals were fully functional to deliver healthcare services.

During the visit, CM Maryam interacted warmly with the children, distributed gifts among them, and listened attentively to the problems shared by women.

Separately, the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) has sounded a high alert over the Sutlej River as water levels continue to swell dangerously following heavy discharges from India’s Pong and Bhakra dams.

The National Emergencies Operation Centre (NEOC) of the NDMA has also raised an urgent warning, asking riverbank communities to stay prepared for possible flooding.

At Ganda Singh Wala, the river has risen to an extremely high flood stage, where the flow has reached 335,591 cusecs. The sudden escalation is attributed to substantial water releases from Pong Dam, now filled up to 98 percent of its capacity, and Bhakra Dam, which stands at nearly 96 percent.

The downstream situation has grown critical, with Sulemanki likely to face a high flood scenario as water outflow is expected to touch 132,000 cusecs. Islam Headworks is also under risk with projected discharges nearing 95,700 cusecs, putting it in the medium-to-high flood range.

Officials expect the Sutlej River to retain these elevated levels in the coming days, creating a prolonged high flood condition at both Sulemanki and Islam Headworks.

Several districts, including Kasur, Okara, Pakpattan, Burewala, Arifwala, and Bahawalnagar, are exposed to severe threats as agricultural land, rural communities, and fragile infrastructure remain vulnerable to destruction and displacement.

In response to the looming danger, the NDMA has confirmed that it is working closely with provincial and district administrations to carry out evacuations and ensure relief measures.

Residents have been strongly urged to comply with directions from local authorities and contact Rescue 1122 or other designated emergency services in case of emergency.