Punjab Floods 2025: Hafizabad Mismanagement Sparks Anger, Relief Efforts Continue

Catastrophic Floods Devastate Punjab, Pakistan: Hafizabad’s Poor Management Fuels 

Lahore, Pakistan(Ali Imran Chattha)

Punjab, Pakistan, is facing its worst flooding crisis in history, affecting over 2 million people across more than 1,400 villages. Driven by intense monsoon rains, glacial melt, and water releases from Indian dams, the Sutlej, Chenab, and Ravi rivers have reached “exceptionally high” levels, causing widespread devastation. While relief efforts are underway, the district administration of Hafizabad has come under fire for poor management, with viral Facebook videos and public outcry highlighting delays and mismanagement. Meanwhile, organizations like Jamaat-e-Islami Pakistan and its Al-Khidmat Foundation, alongside proactive officials in Multan and Muzaffargarh, are stepping up to provide critical support to flood victims.

Affected Areas

The floods have ravaged numerous districts in Punjab, including:

Lahore: Housing communities submerged due to the Ravi River’s overflow, with urban flooding disrupting daily life.

Sialkot: Floodwaters mixed with sewage have created health risks, including fears of cholera and hepatitis.

Narowal: Over 80 villages, including Chango Walia, are underwater, with the shrine of Guru Nanak inundated.

Hafizabad: Approximately 150 villages, particularly around Qadirabad, are submerged, with the Sargodha-Jhang road underwater, isolating communities.

Gujranwala: At least 15 deaths reported, with significant crop and infrastructure damage.

Gujrat, Chiniot, Jhang, and Pakpattan: Floodwaters have submerged settlements, destroying 26,000 acres of farmland in Pakpattan alone.

Bahawalnagar: Over 89,868 residents evacuated due to Sutlej River flooding.

Kasur: 80 villages in Ganda Singh Wala submerged, with 14,140 people evacuated.

Multan: Facing a major flood wave, with 140 villages at risk and controlled breaches planned at Head Muhammad Wala.

Muzaffargarh: Rising Chenab River levels threaten further flooding, with proactive rescue operations.

Okara, Vehari, Lodhran, and Bahawalpur: Severe flooding has displaced thousands, with 36 villages in Okara’s Mari Pattan and over 100,000 affected in Vehari.

Toba Tek Singh, Dera Ghazi Khan, Rajanpur, Khanewal, and Rahim Yar Khan: Floodwaters from the Sutlej and Ravi rivers have caused widespread destruction.

According to the Punjab Provincial Disaster Management Authority (PDMA), 1.5 million people are affected, with 248,000 homeless and 280 villages submerged. The national death toll is 850, with 209 fatalities in Punjab.

Poor Management in Hafizabad Sparks Public Outrage

In Hafizabad, public anger has intensified as viral videos on Facebook show submerged villages and inadequate relief measures. Residents claim that the district administration provided fewer facilities at flood relief camps after government representatives visited. Farmers have also complained that their animals have not been given fodder, leaving them without essential support during the disaster.

People of Hafizabad have now demanded that Chief Minister Punjab Maryam Nawaz Sharif visit their district and personally listen to their complaints.

In response, a source from the district administration stated that some political workers were attempting to mislead the public by spreading false and baseless information. The official added: “We are on our toes for relief operations. We are using all our resources to help flood victims. We are requesting people to leave affected and danger areas and stay in shelter camps, where our staff is helping them with every possible facility.”

Jamaat-e-Islami and Al-Khidmat Foundation’s Efforts

Amid the crisis, Jamaat-e-Islami Pakistan has emerged as a key player in relief efforts. Lahore Deputy Secretary General Qaiser Sharif emphasized that the organization views service to people as an act of worship. The Al-Khidmat Foundation, Jamaat-e-Islami’s humanitarian wing, has deployed thousands of volunteers nationwide, including in Hafizabad, Lahore, Gujranwala, and Wazirabad, where they are distributing food, setting up medical camps, and providing shelter. In a statement on August 26, 2025, Al-Khidmat’s Ayesha Syed highlighted that over 7,000 volunteers have provided medical services to 24,000 people and distributed food and shelter to thousands.

Other Relief Efforts

Government Response: Over 481,000 people and 405,000 animals have been evacuated, with 511 relief camps, 351 medical sites, and 321 veterinary facilities operational. Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz has declared a hospital emergency, ordering clean water, chlorine tablets, and thrice-daily food distribution. Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has prioritized restoring communication and power systems, with 228 branches of 125 feeders affected in south Punjab.

Military and Police: The Pakistan Army is active in eight districts, including Hafizabad, using boats for rescues. Over 15,000 police officers are assisting.

Local Leadership in Multan and Muzaffargarh: Viral videos show hands-on rescue operations, with residents wading through floodwaters to move victims to safety under official supervision. Controlled breaches at Head Muhammad Wala aim to protect Multan’s urban areas, with drones monitoring low-lying regions.

Ex-MPA Saif Akmal Chattha: The former MPA from Wazirabad, Gujranwala district, has been continuously providing food and clean drinking water bottles in large quantities to flood victims in his area. Chattha stated that he seeks only the pleasure of Allah and does not expect political support from affected families.

All Pakistan Muslim League: Volunteers are actively supporting relief efforts in Lahore, Gujranwala, Wazirabad, Hafizabad, and other affected areas, earning praise on social media for their dedication.

Community Efforts: In Sialkot, tractor-based aid deliveries provide food and water, showcasing local resilience.

River Status and Contributing Factors

The floods are driven by unprecedented river levels:

Chenab River: Over 1 million cusecs at Khanki and Qadirabad headworks, with flows rising.

Ravi River: Over 200,000 cusecs at Jassar, slightly decreasing (151,000 cusecs at Shahdara as of August 30).

Sutlej River: Steady at over 200,000 cusecs at Ganda Singh Wala, with embankment breaches flooding thousands of acres.

India’s water releases from dams like Thein and Bhakra have worsened cross-border flooding, though alerts were issued. The NDMA attributes the crisis to climate change, with intensified monsoon rains and glacial melt overwhelming Punjab’s infrastructure.

Viral Videos and Public Sentiment

Social media is flooded with videos of stranded families, submerged villages, and rescue operations. In Hafizabad, footage of flooded areas and inadequate relief has fueled calls for accountability. In contrast, videos of proactive measures in Multan and Muzaffargarh have gone viral, highlighting effective local leadership.

Impending Threat

The NDMA forecasts heavy rainfall in the next 12–24 hours across Lahore, Sialkot, Narowal, Rawalpindi, Gujranwala, Multan, and other districts, signaling a critical period ahead. The Chenab River’s rising levels pose a significant risk.

A Call for Accountability and Action

The 2025 floods expose systemic issues, including poor urban planning and inadequate flood infrastructure, particularly in Hafizabad. While Jamaat-e-Islami, Al-Khidmat, All Pakistan Muslim League, and proactive officials in Multan, Muzaffargarh, and Gujranwala are bridging gaps, the mismanagement in Hafizabad demands urgent accountability. The NDMA is seeking international support, with Turkey pledging aid. For now, Punjab’s residents face a daunting recovery.