Lahore (Khyber Point)Southern Punjab has been devastated by massive floods after India released excess water into the rivers, causing widespread destruction and displacing thousands. The overflowing Sutlej, Ravi, and Chenab rivers have breached embankments, submerging dozens of villages and farmland.
At Ganda Singh Wala, the Sutlej river reached a dangerous flow of 327,000 cusecs, creating catastrophic conditions. Similar high flood levels were recorded at Sulemanki and Islam headworks, submerging vast areas in Bahawalpur district where four tehsils have been badly affected. Entire streams and low-lying villages are now underwater.
The situation in Ravi river has also turned alarming. At Head Sidhnai, water levels have reached extremely high flood marks, while Head Balloki has recorded inflows exceeding 138,760 cusecs. Meanwhile, the Chenab river continues to rise near Khanki, Qadirabad, and Chiniot, threatening nearby communities.
In Multan, the Qasim Bela area faced severe flooding after the Shujaabad Canal overflowed. Authorities reported that the canal was carrying nearly three times its capacity, resulting in water spilling into surrounding settlements. The Sher Shah embankment also overflowed, inundating multiple villages where residents had no time to evacuate.
Rescue efforts are underway, but access to many affected areas remains difficult due to the intensity of the floodwaters. Officials confirmed that in Sikandari drain, floodwater has begun entering populated neighborhoods, posing a grave threat to urban settlements. The Akbar flood embankment is under continuous pressure, with floodwaters already advancing into Akbar Pur, Basti Kotwal, and adjoining regions.
Rescue teams, along with district administrations, are conducting relief operations, but the magnitude of the flood poses severe challenges. With homes, crops, and livelihoods destroyed, the humanitarian crisis in southern Punjab is deepening rapidly.
