Dozens stranded in Jhelum, Chakwal floods as army leads rescue efforts

Relentless monsoon rains have triggered widespread flooding and destruction across multiple districts in Punjab, including Chakwal, Jhelum, Attock, and Pakpattan, prompting authorities to declare emergencies and intensify relief operations.

Jhelum: Dozens of villages affected

In Jhelum, dozens of villages were inundated as Nullah Bunhan overflowed due to heavy rainfall. Over 200 residents were rescued and relocated to safer areas, while six police officers trapped in floodwaters were also brought to safety, according to Rescue 1122 officials.

Relief efforts are underway, with the Pakistan Army and rescue teams actively engaged. However, operations in some remote areas, including Dhok Mojo, remain delayed due to high water levels and ongoing rain.

Chakwal: Dam breach causes destruction

The Panwal Chhota Dam gave way under the pressure of continuous rainfall, sweeping away two vehicles and three individuals. Two people were rescued, while a search operation is ongoing for the missing person.

The dam breach submerged a brick kiln, while land connectivity between Chak Maluk, Adhwal, and Chakral was cut off after a bridge collapse in Adhwal.

Authorities have issued a warning that several small dams, including Miswal, Bhakari, Lakhwal, and Khanpur, are at risk of breaching, adding urgency to rescue and relief efforts.

The district has been severely impacted by record-breaking torrential rains over the past 24 hours, with more than 423mm of rainfall recorded in a single day — a volume close to the region’s average annual rainfall.

According to local officials, several roads, small bridges, and key land routes have been washed away, cutting off numerous villages and hampering access to affected areas. Life in both urban and rural parts of the district has come to a standstill, as overflowing rivers, canals, and ponds flooded residential and commercial areas, turning streets into virtual ponds.

In a tragic incident, a father and son lost their lives after the roof of their house collapsed due to the continuous downpour. Rescue officials confirmed the fatalities and warned of further risks in vulnerable areas.

The district's 22 small dams and dozens of private reservoirs are reportedly filled to capacity, adding to the flood risk. Ponds in various villages have overflowed, especially those located in the middle of densely populated areas, increasing the likelihood of structural damage.

Rescue 1122 and other government agencies have been placed on high alert, with emergency teams deployed in low-lying and high-risk areas such as Jandial Faizullah, Dharabi Gaon, Panwal, Chak Malok, Kotle, Dhidwal, Amirpur Mangan, Khanpur, and Malhal Mughal. In Chakwal city, areas like Mohalla Bhattian, Sarpak, Islampura, Choa Chowk, Domini, and Jabirpur have been declared affected.

“Special relief points have been established, and rescue teams are operating round the clock in all sensitive locations,” said Rescue In-charge Dr. Atiq, adding that immediate assistance is being provided wherever possible.

Deputy Commissioner Saira Hayat Gondal issued a flood alert, urging citizens to avoid unnecessary travel and stay away from drains or waterlogged zones. “Public awareness messages have been circulated, and the people should call Rescue 1122 in case of any emergency,” she advised.

Government departments, including rescue, police, health, municipal, and district administration, are jointly engaged in relief operations, though officials admit that simultaneous urban and rural challenges are making the efforts more difficult. Locals, meanwhile, have described the event as the worst rainfall in decades, with many offering prayers for the rain to stop.

Attock: Shahpur Dam overflows

The situation is equally dire in Attock, where the Shahpur Dam near Fateh Jang burst, releasing water onto roads and nearby villages. A 15-year-old boy, Sulaiman, lost his life after being trapped under a collapsed roof in Bahtar area.

With continuous rainfall threatening to overflow rivers and streams, Deputy Commissioner Rao Atif Raza has declared an emergency across the district. Over 270,000 cusecs of water are currently flowing through Karela Attock Khurd via the Indus River and River Qabil, forcing rescue teams to deploy in Shadi Khan, Attock Bridge, and other low-lying areas.

The DC himself visited Shahpur Dam to monitor the situation.

Pakpattan: Roof collapses claim lives

In Pakpattan, a tragic roof collapse at Dhakka Farm buried six members of the same family, resulting in two fatalities and four serious injuries. The victims were immediately shifted to the hospital.

According to Rescue 1122, 28 separate incidents of roof collapses and drowning have been reported so far in the district. The death toll has risen to 13, including three deaths caused by electrocution. At least 46 individuals have been injured, with 16 treated on the spot and 30 taken to nearby hospitals.

Flood alert issued at Mangla Dam

A flood alert has also been issued at Mangla Dam on the Jhelum River, and residents in Dina and other nearby areas have been urged to remain cautious as water levels continue to rise.

Government officials across all affected districts have urged residents to avoid unnecessary travel, stay clear of flooded areas, and immediately contact Rescue 1122 in emergencies. Despite challenges posed by ongoing rainfall, relief and evacuation operations are continuing with support from the Pakistan Army, Rescue 1122, police, health departments, and local administrations.

Army and rescue officials continue efforts

The Pakistan Army and rescue teams are actively engaged in relief operations despite difficulties posed by fast-flowing water and ongoing rainfall.

According to the rescue in-charge, six police personnel trapped in the floodwaters were safely evacuated. However, relief efforts in Dhoke Mojo have yet to begin due to challenging conditions.

The Pakistan Army has launched an extensive rescue operation after torrential monsoon rains triggered flash floods in Jhelum and Chakwal, leaving dozens of people, including women and children, stranded in submerged areas.

More than 40 residents of Dhok Badir, a low-lying village in Jhelum, were trapped after floodwater from Burhan Nallah entered the settlement on Thursday.

According to local officials, a military-led emergency response, including helicopter evacuations and ground assistance, was immediately initiated. So far, 10 people have been rescued and shifted to safer locations.

Army helicopters have been deployed to airlift residents, while life jackets and emergency relief are being distributed on-site. The local administration and Pakistan Army teams are jointly supervising the situation, with continuous monitoring from command centres.

“Residents in flood-prone areas were already advised to evacuate yesterday,” said the Jhelum deputy commissioner, adding that the warning was issued to prevent loss of life following rising water levels in adjacent streams.

PMD issues alert

Meanwhile, the Pakistan Meteorological Department (PMD) has sounded a high alert over the potential for severe flooding in the Jhelum River at Mangla, warning that the inflow of floodwater may exceed 350,000 cusecs. Authorities have been urged to remain vigilant as water levels continue to rise.

In Chakwal, which received over 400 millimetres of rainfall in the past 24 hours, flash floods have overwhelmed urban and rural localities, damaging homes and infrastructure.

Emergency teams from the Provincial Disaster Management Authority (PDMA), aided by Pakistan Army units, are carrying out rescue efforts across the affected areas.

“The flood situation has worsened due to record-breaking rainfall,” said DG PDMA. “All resources, including helicopters and rescue boats, are being deployed to ensure the safe evacuation of stranded citizens.”

The flooding in both districts comes amid a broader monsoon emergency gripping large parts of Punjab, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, and Islamabad, where over 36 people have died and at least 90 others injured in various rain-related incidents, including house collapses and flash floods.