Floodwaters from the Chenab and Sutlej rivers have entered several villages of Jalalpur Pirwala in Multan district, prompting authorities to order immediate evacuation of residents.
As reproted, police have been making mosque announcements urging people to vacate their homes, while Rescue 1122 has deployed additional teams to assist evacuation operations.
Rescue workers already on-site have begun relocating families to safer locations. Just a day earlier, tragedy struck the area when a rescue boat carrying mostly women and children capsized due to strong currents, killing four people, including a woman. Officials confirmed that the boat overturned in waters as deep as 15 to 20 feet. Four bodies were recovered, while several others were safely rescued, and a search is still ongoing for one missing child.
Meanwhile, India has released more water into the Sutlej River, raising fears of further flooding across Punjab and Sindh. The Indian High Commission has alerted Pakistan about “very high flood levels” at Harike and Ferozepur, warning that the floodwaters are now heading towards Sindh and expected to enter within hours. Pakistan’s Ministry of Water Resources has issued an emergency alert to all relevant departments, directing them to ensure evacuation and strengthen embankments.
The Punjab Disaster Management Authority (PDMA) has also cautioned that the flood surge reported at 8 am near Harike and Ferozepur could affect adjoining districts. The alert urged district administrations to activate early warning systems, secure embankments, deploy heavy machinery at vulnerable sites, and ensure availability of food supplies. Rescue 1122 has also been placed on high alert.
According to PDMA Director General Irfan Ali Kathia, the floods have impacted over 4,100 villages across 25 districts of Punjab, affecting more than 4.1 million people and claiming 56 lives since August 26.
He revealed that around 425 relief camps and temporary shelters have been set up, alongside nearly 500 medical camps where over 175,000 people have received treatment. So far, over 2 million people and 1.5 million livestock have been safely relocated.
In Multan, Deputy Commissioner Waseem Hamid Sandhu said the district administration has prepared a practical response plan for the flood surge expected from Head Trimmu.
He stated that while water levels have slightly receded at Head Muhammadwala and Shershah flood embankments, pressure may rise again once the flow of 543,000 cusecs from Head Trimmu reaches Multan within 36 hours. However, he expressed hope that the flow would weaken before reaching Head Muhammadwala.