Punjab, Pakistan, is facing one of the most severe flood crises in recent history. With the Chenab, Ravi, and Sutlej rivers swelling beyond dangerous levels, protective embankments have been breached to divert the water and protect major cities. However, this decision has resulted in hundreds of villages being submerged, thousands of families displaced, and at least 20 lives lost, mostly due to drowning.
The Provincial Disaster Management Authority (PDMA) and local administrations are working around the clock to carry out rescue and relief operations. Yet, the sheer scale of the disaster highlights the urgent need for long-term flood management strategies in the province.
Rising Waters in Punjab’s Rivers
According to PDMA Punjab, water levels have reached alarming heights in all three major rivers:
- Ravi River: At Shahdara, Lahore, the Ravi River is experiencing the highest flood level in recorded history, with 220,000 cusecs of water passing through in just seven hours. Floodwaters have inundated several Lahore neighborhoods, forcing mass evacuations.
- Chenab River: The river is in very high flood at Qadirabad, with water levels continuing to rise. Authorities have warned that pressure will soon reach downstream districts, including Khanewal, within 24 hours.
- Sutlej River: At Ganda Singhwala, the Sutlej is in extremely high flood, while Head Sulemanki is at a medium level. Downstream areas such as Kasur, Okara, Vehari, and Bahawalnagar are already under severe threat.
The simultaneous flooding of these three rivers has created an interconnected disaster across Punjab, affecting agriculture, infrastructure, and human lives on a massive scale.
Decision to Breach Dams to Save Cities
In a high-level meeting chaired by Punjab Chief Secretary Zahid Akhtar Zaman, officials made the difficult decision to breach embankments near Rawaz Bridge and Chand Bharwana in order to save Jhang and Chiniot from complete submersion.
Deputy Commissioner Jhang, Ali Akbar Bhinder, signed the permit authorizing the breach of protective dams. While this step diverted the floodwaters away from the densely populated city centers, it came at a heavy cost to surrounding rural areas where hundreds of villages were engulfed.
Officials explained that such controlled breaches are sometimes the only option to prevent catastrophic losses in urban centers. However, this strategy leaves rural populations highly vulnerable, with many losing their homes, livelihoods, and farmlands.
Casualties and Humanitarian Impact
According to PDMA Director General Irfan Ali Kathia, at least 20 people have died in the province so far, most of them from drowning. In Sialkot alone, 16 bodies were recovered, including members of the same family — a tragic reminder of how suddenly the floods can overwhelm households.
In addition to the confirmed deaths, thousands of people have been displaced. Relief camps, such as the one at Lachiwali School in Lahore, are currently hosting flood victims. However, these camps are struggling to meet the basic needs of evacuees, including food, clean drinking water, medical assistance, and shelter.
The Punjab government has announced compensation of Rs 1 million for each affected family that has lost a loved one in the disaster. Despite this, for many families, the financial aid cannot make up for the devastation caused to their lives and properties.
Evacuations Across Affected Districts
Rescue operations are being carried out in multiple districts as floodwaters continue to spread. According to PTV News and PDMA reports:
- Chenab River: Flooding has affected 395 villages in Sialkot, 127 in Jhang, 124 in Multan, 48 in Chiniot, 66 in Gujrat, 51 in Khanewal, 45 in Hafizabad, 41 in Sargodha, and 35 in Mandi Bahauddin.
- Ravi River: 80 villages have been submerged, including 75 in Narowal, 4 in Sheikhupura, and 1 in Nankana.
- Sutlej River: A total of 361 villages have been affected, including 72 in Kasur, 86 in Okara, 24 in Pakpattan, 27 in Multan, 23 in Vehari, and 104 in Bahawalnagar.
In Lahore, water entered four blocks of Park View Housing Society, forcing emergency evacuations. Entire neighborhoods, including Mohlanwal, Farrukhabad, Afghan Colony, Shafiqabad, and Chohang, were cleared of residents.
Administrative Measures and Emergency Response
During the Lahore meeting, the Punjab Chief Secretary directed several urgent measures to manage the crisis:
- Deployment of Additional Administrative Officers in flood-affected districts to strengthen local relief efforts.
- Possible Closure of Educational Institutions in high-risk areas for one week to ensure the safety of students.
- Clinics on Wheels to be dispatched immediately to provide emergency healthcare services in rural flood-hit areas.
- Mandatory Evacuations in Nankana, Sheikhupura, and Toba Tek Singh’s river belt areas.
Meanwhile, helicopters, boats, and Rescue 1122 teams are actively involved in evacuating stranded families. The Punjab government has assured that “every possible effort” is being made to minimize casualties.
Infrastructure Damage and Transportation Disruptions
The floods have caused massive damage to Punjab’s infrastructure:
- Roads, including the Shakargarh-Narowal road, have been submerged, cutting off vital transportation routes.
- Railway tracks near Ahmedabad Fort have been flooded, forcing a suspension of train services.
- Agricultural lands covering thousands of acres have been destroyed, with standing crops washed away, threatening food security and farmers’ livelihoods.
Authorities fear the economic fallout will be severe, especially since Punjab is Pakistan’s agricultural heartland. Losses in rice, wheat, and sugarcane crops could push the already struggling economy further into crisis.
Historical Comparison: Floods of 1988
Officials have compared the current situation to the devastating floods of 1988, when Lahore last witnessed such high water levels. At that time, the Ravi River had overflowed into several residential areas, causing widespread destruction. The current water inflows at Shahdara are even higher than those recorded in 1988, making this one of the worst flood events in Punjab’s modern history.
Government Promises and Relief Compensation
The Punjab government has pledged:
- Rs 1 million compensation to families of the deceased.
- Continuous monitoring of water levels at key points, including Shahdara, Head Qadirabad, and Ganda Singhwala.
- Provision of shelter and food to displaced communities.
DG PDMA Irfan Ali Kathia emphasized that no negligence from rescue services caused the deaths, reiterating that drowning incidents occurred due to the sudden surge in floodwaters.
Challenges Ahead
Despite ongoing efforts, several challenges remain:
- Disease Outbreaks: Stagnant water and lack of clean drinking water pose risks of cholera, diarrhea, and dengue.
- Resettlement of Displaced People: With hundreds of villages submerged, long-term housing solutions will be needed.
- Economic Recovery: Agricultural and livestock losses will take years to recover, unless the government provides subsidies and financial aid to farmers.
- Climate Change Factor: Experts argue that climate change is increasing the frequency and intensity of floods in Pakistan. Without modern flood-control systems, such disasters will continue to devastate Punjab year after year.
Conclusion
The Punjab floods of 2025 have once again exposed the fragility of Pakistan’s disaster management system. While emergency measures such as dam breaches and mass evacuations have saved major cities like Jhang and Chiniot, rural communities have borne the brunt of the destruction. With at least 20 confirmed deaths, thousands of homes washed away, and entire villages submerged, the humanitarian crisis is deepening.
The immediate focus remains on rescue and relief, but the long-term challenge for Pakistan will be building resilient infrastructure, strengthening embankments, and preparing for the undeniable impact of climate change. Until then, Punjab’s people remain at the mercy of rising rivers every monsoon season.
