India has released additional water into the Sutlej River, prompting the Ministry of Water Resources to issue an emergency alert.
Punjab authorities are on high alert as floodwaters threaten Harike, Ferozepur, and southern districts, leading to mass evacuations.
The Ministry of Water Resources confirmed that India informed Pakistan through diplomatic channels about the increased release of water into the Sutlej River.
High-level flooding is expected in Harike and Ferozepur, and the Provincial Disaster Management Authority (PDMA) has warned of further rises in river flows. Civil administration, Pakistan Army, and other relevant departments have been mobilized to protect lives and property.
In Multan, authorities plan a controlled breach at the Sher Shah embankment to divert rising waters of the Chenab River. The irrigation department expects flows of over 540,000 cusecs from Trimmu, with Sher Shah already recording 400,000 cusecs. Nearby settlements have been alerted for evacuation, and rail and road traffic will be suspended to ensure safety.
Widespread flood impact across Pakistan
According to the Planning Commission, floods have affected over 4,300 villages, impacting 4.2 million people nationwide. Approximately 2.16 million people trapped by floodwaters have been relocated to safe areas.
Damage reports include:
-
Punjab: 216 deaths, 625 injured, 232 houses damaged, 121 livestock lost
-
Khyber Pakhtunkhwa: 484 deaths, 355 injured, 4,666 houses damaged, 5,460 livestock killed
-
Balochistan: 26 deaths, 5 injured, 781 houses damaged, 62 livestock lost
-
Gilgit-Baltistan: 87 deaths, 52 injured, 1,253 houses damaged
-
Azad Jammu & Kashmir: 30 deaths, 29 injured, 2,078 houses damaged
-
Islamabad: 8 deaths, 3 injured, 65 houses damaged
So far, 672 km of roads and 239 bridges have been damaged, with the Planning Commission expected to release a comprehensive economic loss report in two weeks.
Rescue and relief operations
Rescue 1122 reported evacuating 2,343 people in Multan over the last 24 hours, bringing the total rescued to 10,810. Overall, 350,000 people and over 300,000 animals have been relocated. Emergency teams, including 50 additional boats and five drones, are assisting in rescue efforts.
Tragic incidents include a capsized boat in Rahim Yar Khan’s Moza Noor Wala, killing five people, while four others drowned in Jalalpur Pirwala. Hundreds of villages in Muzaffargarh and Jhang remain submerged, with floodwaters affecting tent settlements for displaced families.
Dams at full capacity
Tarbela Dam has reached 100% storage capacity at 1,550 feet, while Mangla Dam stands at 90% (1,232.95 feet). Other reservoirs including Khanpur, Rawal, and Simli are also nearing full levels, raising concerns of additional flooding if heavy rains continue.
The National Emergency Operations Centre (NEOC) has issued alerts for Punjab, Sindh, and Balochistan, warning of river overflows, urban flooding, and landslides in hilly areas.
