Dozens of Villages Cut Off as Rising Punjab Rivers Spark Deadly Flood Crisis – 2025 Update

Dozens of Villages Cut Off: Punjab Faces Flood Emergency

Dozens of villages cut off in Punjab as rivers continue to swell after torrential rains. Floods have ravaged Kasur, Zafarwal, Bahawalnagar, and Chiniot, damaging homes, crops, and infrastructure. Rescue teams are evacuating residents while authorities warn of worsening conditions if water release from upstream dams continues.

Sutlej River Inundates Kasur Villages

The Sutlej River has overflowed at Kasur, inundating multiple villages and cutting off key road links. According to the Punjab Disaster Management Authority (PDMA), water discharge at Ganda Singh Wala headworks has surged to 75,000 cusecs, while the river touched 19.60 feet at Kikar Post this morning.

Authorities fear further release of water from India’s Harike Headworks, which could intensify flooding in Punjab.

Hundreds of acres of farmland have been destroyed, devastating standing crops of cotton, sugarcane, and rice. Rescue 1122 teams have deployed boats for evacuations, and flood relief camps are providing medical aid, rations, and livestock fodder to displaced families dozens of villages cut off.

Nullah Dek Floods Villages in Zafarwal

In Zafarwal, Nullah Dek is witnessing dangerous flood levels with 22,000 cusecs of water flow, only 8,000 cusecs short of maximum capacity. Villages including Lehri Kalan and Dioli have been submerged, forcing residents to abandon their homes.

Rescue teams have set up four relief camps in the area, while authorities issue continuous flood warnings for settlements downstream.

Bahawalnagar Suffers as Embankments Collapse

In Bahawalnagar, embankments along the Sutlej have collapsed, allowing floodwaters to pour into vast stretches of farmland. The district administration has imposed Section 144, banning public gatherings and movement in dangerous zones.

Villages including Toogera Sharif and Rajeka are battling severe erosion. Authorities are relocating families to safety, while volunteers and NGOs distribute emergency rations.

Chenab River Overflows in Chiniot

The Chenab River is in low-level flood at Chiniot, carrying over 110,000 cusecs of water. Villages such as Sahmal, Pir Kot Taja Da, and Kharkan have been inundated, leaving standing crops and residential areas submerged.

District authorities have set up five relief camps, where displaced families receive food, shelter, and health support.

Indus River Swells at Kundian

At Kundian, the Indus River has reached medium flood levels, with 450,500 cusecs inflow and 435,400 cusecs outflow at Chashma Barrage.

Flood warnings have been issued for riverbank villages. Local mosques are using loudspeakers to urge people to evacuate immediately.

Nationwide Flood Devastation Across Pakistan

Beyond Punjab, Pakistan is reeling from nationwide flooding. In Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Azad Kashmir, and Gilgit-Baltistan, heavy rains and flash floods have left at least 399 people dead in just days.

• Torrential downpours triggered landslides and road collapses.
• Entire villages were washed away by raging waters.
• In Skardu, five bridges collapsed into rivers.
• In Chilas’s Ouchar stream, ten lives were lost when people were swept away.

This unfolding tragedy highlights Pakistan’s vulnerability to extreme weather events driven by climate change.

Relief Efforts and Evacuations Underway

Authorities, with the support of Rescue 1122, PDMA, and NGOs, are working round-the-clock to rescue stranded families. Relief camps provide:

• Medical assistance for injured flood victims.
• Food and rations for displaced families.
• Fodder for livestock to safeguard rural livelihoods.
• Temporary shelters for those who lost homes.

Still, the scale of devastation far outweighs available resources.

The Climate Change Connection

Experts warn that Pakistan is among the top 10 most climate-vulnerable countries globally. Rising temperatures, unpredictable monsoons, and accelerated glacial melt are worsening the intensity of floods.

A recent UNDP report highlighted that Pakistan faces annual economic losses worth $3.8 billion due to climate-related disasters.

For context, Pakistan’s 2022 floods displaced over 33 million people and caused damages worth $30 billion (UN OCHA).

Way Forward for Flood Preparedness

To prevent future crises where dozens of villages are cut off, experts recommend:

• Building stronger embankments and flood barriers.
• Expanding early warning systems.
• Investing in climate-resilient crops.
• Strengthening regional water-sharing agreements with India.
• Enhancing community-based disaster preparedness.

Long-term planning, climate diplomacy, and infrastructure investment are critical to saving lives and livelihoods.

Internal and External Links

🔗 Related article: Pakistan’s Agriculture Faces Climate Change Risks
🔗 External source: ReliefWeb – Pakistan Floods Situation Report