Authorities in Punjab have decided to conduct a controlled breach at the Sher Shah embankment in Multan to divert rising waters of the Chenab River. The step comes as the southern districts of the province continue to face the destructive impact of flood conditions that have displaced hundreds of thousands of people.
According to the irrigation department, more than 540,000 cusecs of water from Trimmu are expected to reach Multan in the coming days. At present, water levels at Sher Shah have already crossed 400,000 cusecs. Officials confirmed that nearby settlements were being warned, and evacuation announcements had begun.
“Riverbed areas are already submerged, and the breach is necessary due to the lack of capacity to contain the water,” an irrigation official explained.
City Police Officer Sadiq Ali Dogar said rail and road traffic would be suspended after the breach. Rail service on the Multan–Kundian–Rawalpindi route will be halted, while Muzaffargarh Road will also be closed. He urged residents in low-lying areas to evacuate immediately to prevent a repeat of recent flood tragedies.
Director General of the Provincial Disaster Management Authority (PDMA), Irfan Ali Kathia, said Multan had been under flood pressure for the last 48 hours. He warned that the next two days would be challenging, though emergency teams, including 50 boats and five drones, had been deployed for rescue operations.
Meanwhile, the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) has issued fresh rain alerts for Punjab, Sindh, and Balochistan. It warned of urban flooding, river overflows, and landslides in hilly areas within the next 12–24 hours.
Rescue 1122 reported evacuating 2,343 people from Multan in the last 24 hours. The total number of rescued individuals now stands at 10,810. Officials added that 350,000 people and more than 300,000 animals had already been shifted to safer areas in advance.
With dams nearing full capacity and heavy rainfall forecast across multiple regions, authorities remain on high alert as the risk of worsening flood conditions continues.
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