Punjab floods affect over 1.6 mln, death toll rises to 37

Punjab continues to reel under the impact of devastating floods, with the number of affected people surpassing 1.6 million, while the death toll across the province has risen to 37.

The Ravi River, carrying a flood surge of over 200,000 cusecs, wreaked havoc in Tandlianwala before entering the limits of Kamalia, submerging dozens of villages, farmlands, and connecting roads.

In Multan, several settlements near the Chenab River have gone underwater. Displaced families were seen evacuating on boats, carrying their valuables and savings as they fled to safer ground.

However, the situation in relief camps has worsened, with outbreaks of infectious diseases reported.

Children in particular are suffering from skin infections and other serious illnesses in camps established across the district.

Floodwaters have also ravaged Muzaffargarh, where 14 villages of Rangpur were submerged. Meanwhile, in Jhang, as many as 250 villages have been inundated.

Hundreds of fish farms from Head Trimmu to Head Punjab were washed away by the surging waters.

Authorities have termed the next 24 hours critical, warning that around 800,000 cusecs of water will pass through Multan tonight.

Commissioner Multan confirmed that more than 400,000 people have already been shifted to safe locations.

The Punjab government has intensified relief operations, but the sheer scale of the disaster continues to threaten lives, agriculture, and infrastructure across the province.