Punjab Flood Crisis Intensifies as Sindh Braces for Incoming Waters

 Lahore, September 8, 2025,Ali Imran Chattha 

Torrential rains and swelling rivers have triggered a major flood emergency across Punjab, forcing the provincial government under Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif to launch extensive rescue and relief operations.

 Mass Evacuations in Punjab 

 In Jalalpur Pirwala, one of the worst-hit areas, nearly 25,000 people have been evacuated over the past 24 hours as rising waters from swollen rivers threatened to submerge entire neighborhoods. The rescue operation, led by the Pakistan Army, Rescue 1122, and volunteers, has been described as one of the largest in recent years. Earlier this week, a rescue boat capsized, leaving five dead and highlighting the dangers faced by emergency teams working in volatile floodwaters.

 Despite setbacks, relief agencies continue to use boats, drones, and helicopters to move stranded families to safer ground.

 Government Response

 Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif has been personally monitoring the crisis from field control rooms, visiting flood-affected zones and overseeing evacuation logistics. She directed local administrations to ensure the provision of food, medicine, and temporary shelter for displaced families. According to official figures, more than 4.1 million people across 25 districts in Punjab have been affected, with over 2 million already relocated to safer areas. The disaster has devastated agriculture, with nearly 184,000 acres of crops—including rice, sugarcane, cotton, and vegetables—destroyed.

 Looming Threat to Sindh 

 As floodwaters move downstream, experts warn of severe risks for Sindh. Authorities estimate that between 300,000 and 320,000 people could face displacement as the Indus River swells with incoming water from Punjab. 

Already, over 100,000 residents in southern Sindh have been moved to higher ground. Sindh’s provincial government has launched relief and medical camps, while reinforcing river embankments and monitoring vulnerable districts.

 Monsoon Wave to Worsen Situation 

 The Meteorological Department has forecast that the 10th monsoon spell will continue until at least September 9, raising concerns that additional rainfall could further worsen flooding across Punjab and Sindh.

 Humanitarian Challenge Ahead

 With millions displaced, farmlands destroyed, and livestock swept away, the humanitarian challenge is mounting. Relief teams warn that food shortages, disease outbreaks, and damage to infrastructure could prolong the crisis even after water levels recede.