Lahore( The COW News Digital) A severe flood crisis has unfolded in southern Punjab after local embankments broke near Jalalpur Pirwala, submerging dozens of villages and prompting authorities to declare a state of emergency.
According to officials, the surge in water levels of the River Chenab has become dangerously high, leading to breaches in protective embankments. As floodwaters rushed into residential areas, families were forced to climb onto rooftops for safety while authorities issued urgent evacuation orders.
At Head Panjnad, inflows were recorded at 609,669 cusecs, while Head Trimmu registered 543,000 cusecs, raising alarms of further destruction downstream. The breaches were confirmed in Shah Rasool and Bet Wahi embankments, with water spilling into Bahadurpur and surrounding areas. Local administration has deployed five drones and 50 boats for rescue operations, as efforts continue to safeguard remaining embankments.
The flooding has caused large-scale displacement. In Muzaffargarh’s Azmatpur, several embankments collapsed, forcing more than 7,000 residents to evacuate. Meanwhile, in Jhang, the second flood wave of the Chenab inundated over 300 villages, destroying nearly 281,000 acres of standing crops. Authorities fear food shortages and long-term agricultural damage in the region.
In Bahawalpur, high flood levels in the Sutlej River worsened the crisis as water reached near the Northern Bypass and spilled into villages. Rescue teams are on high alert, while emergency relief supplies including food, water, and medical aid are being dispatched to affected families.
The Punjab government has ordered immediate relocation of residents from vulnerable areas, warning that continuous monsoon rains could intensify the disaster. Despite relief operations, thousands remain stranded, while reports of rising water levels suggest more breaches could occur in the coming hours.
Flood victims are appealing for swift assistance as many have lost homes, livestock, and crops to the disaster. Authorities are urging citizens not to risk crossing submerged roads or bridges and to follow evacuation guidelines.
The situation remains critical, with officials predicting that floodwaters may continue to spread, impacting more towns and villages across southern Punjab. The combined flood threats from both the Chenab and Sutlej rivers underscore the urgent need for coordinated disaster management and long-term flood prevention measures.
