The government of India has released additional water into the Sutlej River, prompting authorities in Pakistan to issue a Punjab flood alert. Rising water levels threaten Harike, Ferozepur, and southern districts.
The Ministry of Water Resources confirmed that India informed Pakistan through diplomatic channels about the increased water flow. Provincial disaster teams, civil administration, and the Pakistan Army have been mobilized to protect lives and property.In Multan, authorities plan a controlled breach at the Sher Shah embankment to divert Chenab River waters. Flows from Trimmu are expected to exceed 540,000 cusecs, with Sher Shah already recording 400,000 cusecs. Nearby settlements have been evacuated, and rail and road traffic suspended for safety.
Over 4,300 villages across Pakistan are affected, impacting 4.2 million people. So far, 2.16 million residents have been relocated to safe areas. Emergency teams, including boats and drones, are assisting in rescue operations.
Punjab: 216 deaths, 625 injured, 232 houses damaged, 121 livestock lost
Khyber Pakhtunkhwa: 484 deaths, 355 injured, 4,666 houses damaged
Balochistan: 26 deaths, 5 injured, 781 houses damaged
Gilgit-Baltistan: 87 deaths, 52 injured
Azad Jammu & Kashmir: 30 deaths, 29 injured
Islamabad: 8 deaths, 3 injured
Hundreds of villages in Muzaffargarh and Jhang remain submerged. Tragic incidents include a capsized boat in Rahim Yar Khan killing five, and four deaths in Jalalpur Pirwala.
Tarbela Dam is at 100% capacity at 1,550 feet, while Mangla Dam stands at 90%. Other reservoirs, including Khanpur, Rawal, and Simli, are nearing full capacity, raising further flood concerns.
The National Emergency Operations Centre (NEOC) has issued alerts for Punjab, Sindh, and Balochistan, warning of river overflows, urban flooding, and landslides. Authorities continue to monitor the situation closely.
In other related news also read EU Announces Rs350m Flood Relief Package for Pakistan.
