The recent Chenab River flood wave in Punjab has reached a catastrophic scale, with water flow exceeding one million cusecs at points like Khanki. This unprecedented flood has severely impacted the region, forcing authorities to blast sections of the historic 1905 Rewas Bridge in Jhang to divert the raging waters and protect the city.
As reported, on Friday, the Chenab River was discharging 883,110 cusecs of water, at Chiniot Bridge and the level continuously rising.
The flooding has caused devastation across central Punjab, affecting over 1.46 million people in around 1,692 villages, with at least 20 deaths reported so far.
Authorities have evacuated more than 45,000 people across Punjab and established relief camps for those displaced.
Major cities and districts at risk include Jhang, Multan, Muzaffargarh, Sialkot, Gujrat, Hafizabad, and several others along the Chenab, Ravi, and Sutlej rivers.
The crisis worsened due to India’s sudden release of large volumes of water into Punjab’s rivers without prior warning, leading to breaches in embankments and widespread flooding. Crop destruction, livestock loss, and displacement have been massive, with thousands of families evacuated to safer locations.
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The Punjab government, army, Pakistan Rangers, Rescue 1122, and civil administration are conducting large-scale rescue operations with over 700 boats deployed.
Measures include evacuation, rescue, and setting up relief camps providing food, medical care, and shelter. Floodwaters have submerged villages, farmlands, and infrastructure, leaving authorities on high alert as the flood wave threatens to move downstream towards areas including Multan and Khanewal within the next 48 hours, prompting warnings of further devastation.
Leaders including the Prime Minister and Chief Minister have conducted aerial surveys to assess damage and coordinate response. The situation remains critical with flood levels at multiple locations recording dangerously high and rising flows, presenting a continuing emergency for Punjab residents and authorities.