Military-backed rescue operations continued Thursday across flood-affected regions of eastern Pakistan, as thousands of residents were evacuated from submerged villages near Jalalpur Pirwala in Punjab province. The region has been inundated following weeks of heavy monsoon rains and water releases from upstream dams in India, pushing rivers in southern Punjab above danger levels. Authorities reported that approximately 142,000 people in the Jalalpur Pirwala area have been directly affected by the rising waters. Large sections of the region have seen severe inundation, displacing families and damaging homes, livestock, and crops.
Many residents have taken shelter with relatives or moved into temporary camps established by the government, while others have remained on embankments or rooftops waiting for assistance. Rescue crews using motorboats and helicopters have been transporting stranded residents to safety. According to the Punjab Disaster Management Authority, over 4,000 villages have been impacted since August 23, affecting more than 4.2 million people across the province. At least 68 fatalities have been recorded during this period due to drowning, building collapses, and related incidents.
The floodwaters have disrupted infrastructure and basic services across several districts, including Multan, Bahawalpur, and Lodhran. In response, Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif visited flood-hit areas and ordered the deployment of additional resources to accelerate evacuation and relief work. She announced that 80 to 100 government-operated rescue boats equipped with safety gear and floodlights have been dispatched to support ongoing efforts. Four helicopters are also operating in the region to reach remote or heavily flooded zones.
Punjab flooding prompts large-scale evacuation operations
Local authorities reported that the Sutlej River has breached its banks in multiple locations, prompting fears of further damage in downstream areas. Jalalpur Pirwala, a city of around 700,000 people, remains under threat, with embankments being reinforced to prevent a large-scale inundation. Officials stated that engineering teams are working around the clock to secure weak points along the riverbanks.
As the floodwaters continue to move southward, officials in the Sindh province have initiated preemptive evacuation efforts in low-lying areas. The Pakistan Meteorological Department has issued warnings for elevated water levels in the Ravi, Chenab, and Sutlej rivers, advising residents to stay alert and follow evacuation instructions. Relief Commissioner Nabil Javed confirmed that the government is coordinating with local and provincial agencies to provide emergency shelter, food, and medical aid to displaced populations.
Infrastructure damage hampers relief operations in Punjab
Temporary camps have been established in safer locations, and supply lines for essential items have been prioritized. The flooding follows heavier-than-usual monsoon rainfall across the region, which has been further intensified by multiple water discharges from upstream reservoirs in India. According to disaster management officials, the cumulative release of water from Indian dams into the Sutlej River significantly increased the pressure on downstream areas in Pakistan over the past three weeks.
Pakistan’s National Disaster Management Authority and provincial agencies continue to monitor river levels and weather patterns, with teams stationed in vulnerable zones for rapid deployment. Emergency response units have also been placed on standby in districts not yet affected, as officials aim to contain the spread of flooding and minimize further displacement. Authorities have urged citizens in flood-prone areas to relocate to higher ground and avoid crossing river channels. The military, civil defence, and provincial rescue services remain engaged in round-the-clock operations to stabilize the situation and prevent additional loss of life. – By Content Syndication Services.