LAHORE – Over 150,000 people have been evacuated across southern Punjab as floodwaters from the Sutlej River continue to rise, the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) confirmed on Monday.
Evacuations have been most extensive in Bahawalnagar, with 89,868 people relocated, followed by 14,140 from Kasur, 2,063 from Okara, 873 from Pakpattan, 361 from Bahawalpur, and 165 from Vehari. The Punjab Provincial Disaster Management Authority (PDMA) has warned that flooding may worsen due to further rain and inflows from across the border.
The floodwaters have already affected at least 197 villages across key districts. In Kasur, 72 villages are submerged; Bahawalnagar has reported 75 affected villages; Vehari 23; Pakpattan 12; and Bahawalpur 15.
PDMA has set up 67 relief camps, including 38 medical and 46 veterinary facilities, to support the over 45,000 people impacted. More than 17,000 livestock have also been moved to safe zones. Rescue teams are equipped with boats, life jackets, tents, and emergency gear to assist ongoing operations.
High flood levels have been recorded at Ganda Singh Wala, with medium floods at Head Sulemanki and Head Marala. Sutlej water levels at Head Panjnad surged to 106,000 cusecs, posing a major threat to surrounding areas like Uch Sharif.
In Bahawalpur, riverbank erosion has devastated farmland near Mari Qasim Shah, breaching protective embankments and prompting evacuation orders from local authorities.
Meteorological forecasts predict another spell of heavy rainfall from August 27 to 31, especially in central Punjab. Rainfall in the last 24 hours included 103mm in Narowal and 96mm in Kasur. The rising reservoir levels—Tarbela at full capacity and Mangla at 76%—are increasing pressure on the river systems.
Officials have attributed the rising river flows to monsoon rains and releases from Indian dams, including Bhakra, Pong, and Thein.
Despite the widespread impact, no new casualties were reported in the last 24 hours. However, the monsoon season has already claimed 165 lives and injured 584 across Punjab.
