Punjab floods claim 33 lives, displace 700,000 amid historic river surges

Punjab is reeling under torrential rains and historic flooding, which have so far claimed at least 33 lives, submerged more than 2,200 villages, and forced the evacuation of over 700,000 residents, according to provincial disaster management authorities.

Director General of the Provincial Disaster Management Authority (PDMA) Punjab, Irfan Ali Kathia, said the province is experiencing one of the largest floods in its history, with all three major rivers inundated.

Kathia confirmed that while water levels in the Sutlej near Kasur have begun to recede, a flow of nearly 135,000 cusecs is expected to reach Pakpattan, Bahawalnagar, and Vehari by tomorrow.

Meanwhile, floodwaters are already coursing through Bahawalnagar and Bahawalpur, displacing villagers en masse.

At Treemoon Barrage, water discharge surged dramatically to 361,633 cusecs, a rise of more than 100,000 cusecs in a short span, intensifying fears of further inundation.

Officials are considering controlled breaches of embankments to manage water pressure and mitigate the damage.

Read more: Mother dies trying to save son during flood in Wazirabad

According to PDMA estimates, nearly 2 million people in Punjab have been affected, with relief and rehabilitation operations continuing in the worst-hit districts.

Alongside the relocation of communities, thousands of livestock have been shifted to safer areas to minimize losses.

Authorities say the ninth spell of the monsoon has aggravated the crisis, with widespread destruction reported across multiple districts.

Rescue teams, backed by local and provincial administrations, are working round-the-clock to provide relief, but officials warn that the situation remains precarious.