As Punjab prepares for an intense new monsoon spell forecast from August 24 to 27, the provincial government has launched large-scale evacuation operations amid a high flood alert on the Sutlej River, which surged to a dangerous 129,866 cusecs at Ganda Singh Wala.
The Provincial Disaster Management Authority (PDMA) reported that over 19,000 people have already been evacuated from flood-prone areas, with emergency operations underway in vulnerable districts including Kasur, Okara, Pakpattan, Bahawalnagar, and Vehari.
“The evacuation of populations in the riverbeds of the Sutlej and Ravi is our utmost priority,” said Khawaja Salman Rafique, Chairman of the Cabinet Committee on Disaster Management.
According to officials, relief camps are fully operational and stocked with medicine, vaccines, and essential supplies. Rescue 1122 teams are on high alert, and announcements are being made in mosques and through local channels to guide residents to safety.
Meanwhile, hydrological data indicates that while the Indus River is rising at Tarbela and Kalabagh, the Chenab and Ravi remain stable. Hill torrents in Dera Ghazi Khan are being closely monitored.
The epicentre of the crisis remains the Sutlej River, particularly in areas like Jalalpur Pirwala, where relocation efforts are ongoing. Multan Deputy Commissioner Waseem Hamid Sindhu emphasized that protecting lives and property is the district's top concern.
The Pakistan Meteorological Department has warned that the incoming eighth monsoon spell may bring torrential rains to upper Punjab and other regions, intensifying flood risks.
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“We urge citizens to cooperate with rescue teams, avoid recreational activities near rivers, and call the PDMA helpline 1129 in case of any emergency,” said PDMA DG Irfan Ali Kathia.
With the clock ticking and the weather turning, the next 96 hours are critical for Punjab’s disaster response machinery as authorities race to protect vulnerable communities from potential devastation.
