Punjab Battles Unprecedented Flooding
Pakistan flood warnings turned grim on Sunday as Punjab, the country’s largest province, faced its biggest flood in history. Rising rivers and relentless monsoon rains now put nearly 2 million people at risk, sparking urgent rescue efforts across the region.
Rivers at Record Levels
Senior provincial minister Maryam Aurangzeb confirmed that the Sutlej, Chenab, and Ravi rivers carried record water levels. She called the disaster the largest Punjab had ever seen.
The crisis deepened after India released excess water from overflowing rivers and dams into Pakistan’s low-lying regions. This cross-border surge worsened already high rainfall in Punjab, where residents had endured weeks of relentless downpours.
Climate Change Fuels the Crisis
A recent study linked the worsening monsoon pattern directly to global warming. Pakistan, already listed among the world’s most climate-vulnerable nations, has faced repeated floods and landslides across its northern and northwestern mountains in recent months.
Between July 1 and August 27, Punjab received 26.5% more monsoon rain than last year, according to Pakistan’s national weather center.
Evacuations and Rescue Operations
Authorities raced to evacuate residents. Police stations, schools, and security facilities quickly turned into makeshift camps. Television footage showed people clambering into rescue boats with children, livestock, and belongings, while submerged farmland stretched for miles.
Aurangzeb said the Foreign Ministry is gathering evidence on India’s water release, hinting at diplomatic concerns. India had warned Pakistan of possible cross-border flooding earlier, marking the rivals’ first direct contact since their near-war crisis in May.
Multan Braces for the Wave
In Multan, officials prepared explosives to divert floodwaters if embankments collapsed. Drones tracked rising water in low-lying areas, while teams urged residents to evacuate before a massive wave from the Chenab River reached the city.
“The water is coming in large quantities — we cannot fight it, we cannot stop it,” Deputy Commissioner Wasim Hamad Sindhu admitted, pleading with families to seek safety in government camps.
Voices from the Camps
Residents shared heartbreaking stories. Emaan Fatima, now in a relief camp, said water surrounded her home. “Our animals are starving, and we are also not getting food anywhere else. We are not sitting here by choice. Our houses are in danger. We are very worried.”
Nationwide, Pakistan’s disaster management authority reported 849 deaths and 1,130 injuries since June 26 due to rain-related incidents.
Preparing for a Super Flood
Southern Sindh province also braced for impact. Chief Minister Murad Ali Shah ordered irrigation officials to prepare for a “super flood” — when water flows exceed 900,000 cusecs. “We hope the water will not reach that level, but we must prepare,” Shah stressed. “The most important thing for us is to save human lives and livestock.”
With monsoon season continuing through September, Pakistan faces weeks of uncertainty. Food shortages, destroyed crops, and damaged homes may worsen an already fragile economy. The coming days will determine whether Punjab and neighboring provinces can withstand the relentless monsoon’s fury.
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