Floods wreak havoc in Punjab as India release more water into Sutlej River

Lahore/ Multan/ Bahawalpur (Web Desk): Flood conditions in Punjab have worsened after India released more water into the Sutlej River, leaving dozens of areas submerged and forcing thousands of people to evacuate.

According to reports, the Punjab government has declared a state of emergency in several affected districts.

In Jalalpur Pirwala, heavy flooding in the Chenab River caused breaches at Shah Rasool and Bet Wahi, allowing water to rush into nearby villages.

Residents have taken refuge on rooftops, while the administration has ordered the evacuation of the area. Emergency measures have been enforced in Multan’s Shujabad and Jalalpur Pirwala.

According to district authorities, in Multan alone 2,343 people were rescued within the past 24 hours, while a total of 10,810 people have so far been moved to safer locations.

Rescue 1122 reported that operations continued throughout the night in Jalalpur Pirwala, where 143 people were evacuated from Karam Wali and Darab Pur.

Five drones and more than 50 boats are being deployed in relief efforts. A spokesperson for Rescue 1122 confirmed that across Punjab, some 2 million people and 1.5 million livestock have been relocated to safety.

In Jhang, a fresh surge in the Chenab River inundated more than 300 villages and destroyed standing crops across 281,000 acres of farmland.

In Muzaffargarh’s Azmatpur area, a breach displaced more than 7,000 residents.

In Kasur, 130 villages were submerged, while medium-level flooding in Chiniot cut off road access to over 100 villages.

The water level in the Sutlej continues to rise, with high flood levels recorded downstream at Harike and Ferozepur.

After a breach at Head Sulemanki, additional settlements were inundated, and floodwaters in Bahawalpur have now reached the Northern Bypass.

At Head Balloki on the Ravi River, the water flow has reached 139,000 cusecs, while at Head Sidhnai it has risen to 123,000 cusecs.

The Indus River has also swelled, flooding Kacha areas in Rajanpur, where 23 villages are now submerged.

The Punjab government and district administrations have issued a high alert, urging citizens in low-lying areas to move to safer ground without delay.

The Pakistan Army, Rescue 1122, and local authorities are actively engaged in relief and evacuation operations.