Multan–Sukkur M-5 motorway closed due to flooding
People wade through floodwater on the M-5 Motorway in Jalalpur, where heavy inundation forced the closure of traffic and disrupted movement of vehicles for several hours. PHOTO: APP
The National Highways and Motorway Police (NHMP) announced on Friday that the Multan–Sukkur Motorway (M-5) has been closed because of flooding, with traffic diverted to alternate routes.
An NHMP spokesperson said traffic from Multan to Sukkur can use the National Highway via Shah Shams Interchange and rejoin the M-5 at Uch Sharif Interchange.
Motorists travelling from Sukkur to Multan can leave the M-5 at Uch Sharif Interchange, continue on the National Highway, and rejoin at Sher Shah Interchange.
Patrol officers and road user guides are deployed on site to assist drivers and ensure smooth traffic flow, the spokesperson added.
Read: Breaches planned to protect Jalalpur
Earlier on Thursday, the federal government announced plans for additional controlled breaches along the Multan–Sukkur Motorway (M-5) to manage floodwaters threatening Jalalpur Pirwala and adjoining areas.
The decision followed a special meeting chaired by Federal Minister for Communications Abdul Aleem Khan and attended by senior Punjab officials, the National Highway Authority (NHA), NESPAK, and other agencies.
Officials confirmed flood damage at five locations on the motorway, inundating villages in Multan, Lodhran, and Bahawalpur districts and forcing the closure of the Multan–Uch Sharif section. Diversions are in place while NHA teams work around the clock to restore traffic.
Minister Khan said safeguarding lives and property takes precedence over infrastructure, assuring full federal support for any measures recommended by the Punjab government to protect Jalalpur Pirwala city.