Heavy monsoon rains and floods continue to wreak havoc in Punjab and Azad Jammu & Kashmir (AJK), leaving eight more people dead and 17 injured, according to the latest report from the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA).
Rising toll of lives and property
The NDMA confirmed that the victims included four children, three men, and one woman. Five people died in house collapses, two were swept away by flash floods, and one drowned.
In Punjab, seven lives were lost, including two children and a woman in Nankana Sahib, one man and a child in Chiniot, one child in Kasur, and one man in Sheikhupura. In AJK, a resident of Kotli also died due to flooding.
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Among the 17 injured were eight women, seven men, and two children. The worst-hit areas were Okara, Kasur, Nankana Sahib, and Sheikhupura. Four more houses were partially damaged, bringing the total since June 26 to 862 deaths and 1,147 injuries across Pakistan.
Floods submerge villages in Toba Tek Singh
In Toba Tek Singh, water flow in the Ravi River exceeded 190,000 cusecs, inundating more than 70 villages. Floodwater washed away the road at Adda Kalera in Chichawatni-Kamalia, cutting off nearby settlements and entering nearby settlements.
Sutlej River wreaks havoc in Kasur
In Kasur, a massive flow of 261,000 cusecs surged through the Sutlej River, breaking the protective dam of Sardar Jamaluddin Dogar in Ganda Singh Wala. Croplands, houses, and barns in Kujianwala and surrounding villages were submerged, while road access to Kujianwala was cut off. Water level data from Head Ganda Singh Wala has not been updated since last night, raising further concerns.
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Kamalia’s communication cut off
In Kamalia, floods from the Ravi River caused a major crack on Chichawatni Road, suspending inter-district traffic. Hundreds of passengers were stranded on both sides as water continued to rise in nearby settlements. Police and army personnel were deployed, and barriers were erected to stop all kinds of traffic.
High flood alert at Head Islam in Burewala
In Burewala, four union councils -- Jamlera, Sahuka, Farooqabad, and Diwan Sahib -- remain submerged. Water inflow and outflow at Head Islam reached nearly 85,000 cusecs, putting more villages at risk. Relief operations have been intensified, with victims being shifted to safer locations.
Authorities on high alert
Rescue teams, including the Pakistan Army, are working with local administrations to manage the crisis. Officials warned that rising water levels in major rivers pose an ongoing threat to low-lying settlements, urging residents to move to relief camps and cooperate with authorities.
At Head Trimmu, the Chenab recorded an alarming inflow of nearly 479,743 cusecs, placing it in the extremely high flood category. Authorities warned that a massive wave of up to 900,000 cusecs is expected to pass through the headworks, raising fears of deliberate breaches to save densely populated areas.
Also Read: Punjab on high alert as Chenab swells from India’s release, rains
The flood surge has already entered Jhang after passing through Sialkot, Wazirabad, and Chiniot. More than 200 villages have been inundated, crops destroyed, and thousands of families displaced.
India accused of “water aggression”
Pakistani authorities have accused India of releasing huge volumes of water into the Chenab without prior notice. Irrigation officials said all gates of the Salal Dam were opened, sending an estimated 800,000 cusecs downstream.
“India has not shared any official information about the release, which amounts to water aggression,” a senior PDMA official said, adding that the unexpected surge has left Punjab vulnerable.
Multan, Muzaffargarh, Rahim Yar Khan on high alert
Authorities have placed 15 districts under high alert, including Multan, Muzaffargarh, Rahim Yar Khan, Bahawalpur, Vehari, and Pakpattan. Preparations are underway to deliberately breach embankments near Head Muhammad Wala to divert floodwaters if pressure continues to mount.
Dynamite has already been placed at key embankments as a precautionary measure. Officials fear the flood peak could reach Multan late tonight, with downstream districts facing severe risk in the next 48 hours.
