Severe Flooding Forces Evacuations in Pakistan's Punjab

Sat Sep 13 2025 13:54:28 GMT+0300 (Eastern European Summer Time)

As unprecedented floods devastate Punjab, authorities evacuate over 200,000 residents due to warnings from Indian officials about water releases from upstream dams.

In a tragic turn of events, around 200,000 individuals have been evacuated from their homes in Punjab, Pakistan, following severe flooding caused by heavy monsoon rains and the expected release of water from Indian dams. Rescuers are working tirelessly to save those stranded, as some families opt to stay behind to protect their property. With record-breaking rainfall leaving areas submerged, the National Disaster Management Authority has urged communities to avoid low-lying regions. Both nations continue to grapple with the consequences of recent torrential rains that have claimed numerous lives.

Severe Flooding Forces Evacuations in Pakistan's Punjab

Some 200,000 people have been evacuated as floods devastate parts of Pakistan's Punjab province. Rescuers carried residents to safety in boats after disaster authorities warned of exceptionally high floods along the Ravi, Sutlej, and Chenab rivers. Several districts called in the army to help.

This emergency comes after Pakistani officials received a warning from India regarding the release of water from major dams upstream, acknowledging that this would flood parts of Pakistan's most populous province.

Both countries are reeling from intense rainfall in recent weeks, with monsoon rains having killed more than 800 people in Pakistan since June.

The country's National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) has cautioned people in flood-affected areas to stay away from rivers, drains, and low-lying zones. Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif stated that the federal government will cooperate fully with regional authorities to mitigate flooding risks, particularly in urban areas such as Gujarat, Sialkot, and Lahore.

Record rainfall has left Sialkot with the highest precipitation recorded in 49 years, resulting in submerged buildings, homes, and vehicles. Reports indicate that many residents remain stranded.

Rescuers continue to perform door-to-door evacuations in various villages, using boats to relocate residents and livestock. So far, these efforts have saved over 32,000 people trapped by the floodwaters.

Despite the severe conditions, some residents, like Nadeem Ahmad, have expressed reluctance to leave, citing the financial burden of repeated evacuations. Ahmad, who keeps livestock, stated, I'm already using their winter supply. This sentiment is prevalent among other families who choose to stay behind to protect their homes and belongings.

In areas like Kasur district, families are arriving at higher ground, while others are being accommodated in shelters. The situation continues to evolve as heavy rainfall persists in the region.