LAHORE: More than 4.28 million people have been affected by severe flooding in Punjab, Pakistan, with over two million evacuated from submerged areas, officials say.
The worst-hit areas lie along the Ravi, Sutlej, and Chenab rivers, which have flooded more than 4,500 villages and destroyed nearly 1.8 million acres of crops. Around 1.69 million animals have been rescued and relocated to safety.
Evacuations and relief efforts
Punjab’s Information Minister, Azma Bukhari, described the situation in Jalalpur Pirwala as serious but said better arrangements had helped save the city. She noted that more than 13,600 people were moved to safety in the last three days alone, with total rescues reaching about 2.3 million.
The government has set up relief camps, medical facilities, and veterinary centres to support those affected. So far, the floods have claimed 76 lives in the province.
Dam levels
In Multan, the Chenab River breached 394.5 feet, prompting evacuations and road closures. Traffic has been diverted in several areas due to unsafe conditions.
Dam levels remain high with Mangla at 90% capacity, Tarbela full, and several Indian dams near capacity. Officials say the monsoon rains are easing and water flows should stabilise soon.
While flooding eases in northern Punjab, southern districts continue to face difficult conditions as rescue and relief work goes on.
Rising food prices
Azma Bukhari warned the government would not allow prices of flour to rise artificially and vowed to act against those hoarding wheat stocks.
The floods come amid one of the heaviest monsoon seasons in recent history, causing widespread devastation across Pakistan and exposing the vulnerabilities of many communities.
