Flood fury leaves homes, harvest in ruins

Punjab is battling one of the most severe flood emergencies in recent years as water levels in the Ravi, Sutlej, and Chenab rivers continue to rise.

The surging flows have forced mass evacuations, destroyed standing crops across thousands of acres, and inundated entire villages. At Sulemanki Headworks on the Sutlej, inflows surged to more than 109,000 cusecs, breaching two dozen temporary dykes and devastating farmland.

Residents said they were forced to flee with children, livestock, and essential belongings. "We left with great difficulty, no one helped us," one displaced villager said.

In Kasur, Pakpattan, and Bahawalnagar, entire settlements were submerged as the river overflowed.

Shahdara, on the outskirts of Lahore, reported inflows of 155,000 cusecs, with fears they could reach 200,000 cusecs within hours.

Authorities said several Lahore neighbourhoods, including Manga Mandi, Noul, Jhuggian, and Wara Abdullah, were badly affected.

In Shahdara, floodwaters entered residential areas of Farukhabad, where many residents evacuated early but some remain trapped. Families were seen moving buffaloes, and essential goods to safe areas. "We are forced to evacuate on our own. The government should provide shelter and assess our losses," one resident said. Local officials said residents had been advised to move long before water arrived and several relief camps had been established in the area.

In Narowal, flows of 166,000 cusecs were recorded at Jassar on the Ravi, while the Basantar Nullah swelled to 8,000 cusecs. Rescue teams are working in Renala Khurd and nearby villages to assist residents and move people to safety. Hundreds of acres of crops have been destroyed, leaving farmers reeling from the loss.

In Okara, Pakpattan, and Arifwala, conditions remain critical. Authorities said several villages, including Qaboola Arzi Dilawar and Noora Rath, have been evacuated, while the Sutlej near Arifwala carried nearly 100,000 cusecs.

Floodwaters also inundated Narowal, where several villages are under water, crops destroyed, and the Shakargarh-Narowal road submerged. At Qila Ahmadabad, floodwaters reached railway tracks, halting train services.

In Gujrat, three children drowned after a protective embankment collapsed, while in Sialkot, a family of five perished in floodwaters. Additional fatalities were reported in Gujranwala, Hafizabad, and Narowal.

The Chenab is also carrying unprecedented volumes, raising concerns about major structural risks. At Qadirabad Headworks, water flows reached 996,000 cusecs, well beyond its 800,000-cusec capacity. Officials said dykes were breached in Mandi Bahauddin and Ali Pur Chatha to protect the barrage. At Khanki, inflows were recorded at 859,000 cusecs, submerging dozens of villages and destroying crops.

The crisis has intensified following water releases from India. Pakistan Meteorological Department warned that the next 24 to 48 hours will be critical as rivers continue to swell.

Officials urged residents of low-lying and riverside areas to evacuate immediately. "Stay away from riversides, avoid sightseeing or filming videos, and register at relief camps," authorities advised.