Authorities have planted dynamite at vulnerable points to create controlled breaches and reduce pressure.

In Khanewal, officials declared the next two to four hours as “critical,” while in Kabirwala 49 villages and in Shujabad several others have already been submerged.

India’s water release worsens crisis in Punjab

After fresh water releases from India, the swollen Sutlej, Ravi, and Chenab rivers have inundated more villages across Punjab.

The flood has now advanced into South Punjab, with Chenab and Ravi’s torrents from Head Trimmu engulfing 49 villages in Kabirwala and six in Shujaabad.

In Muzaffargarh, over 40 villages have been submerged, and the water level continues to rise.

Southern Punjab under siege

Floodwaters from the Sutlej have entered Bahawalpur, Bahawalnagar, Chishtian, and Arifwala, destroying standing crops.

The Ravi has submerged 30 villages in Sahiwal and 38 in Chichawatni, displacing 12,850 people to safer grounds.

Although water levels receded in Jhang, the flood situation remains. In Okara, 112 settlements were hit, with hundreds of mud houses swept away. Kasur’s Ganda Singh has been in crisis for over a week.

Jalalpur Pirwala and more areas in peril

The River Chenab has gone out of control at Jalalpur Pirwala, breaching the protective embankment in Notrol village.

Populated areas and farmland are underwater, with residents attempting to reinforce embankments on their own.

Officials warned that by evening, the flood would reach Head Muhammadwala in Multan. Thousands are feared to be affected.

High flood warning for Sutlej and Chenab

Punjab’s Provincial Disaster Management Authority (PDMA) has issued a “very high flood” alert for the Chenab and Sutlej.

At Ganda Singh Wala, water flow stands at 253,000 cusecs, while at Sulemanki it is 124,000 cusecs.

At Head Trimmu, the water flow has surged to 516,000 cusecs and continues to rise.

PDMA also warned of urban flooding in Rawalpindi, Sargodha, Gujranwala, Lahore, Sahiwal, Multan, Faisalabad, DG Khan, and Bahawalpur divisions within the next 24 hours.

Human toll and government response

Punjab Information Minister Azma Bukhari confirmed 41 deaths so far, with 2.45 million people affected across the province.

Relief Commissioner Nabeel Javed assured that all commissioners and deputy commissioners are on high alert, with emergency control rooms fully staffed.

On Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz’s directives, tent cities have been established near flood-hit areas, offering shelter, food, free medicines, and separate facilities for women and children. Helipads have been built in Jhang’s Tehsil Athara Hazari, Kot Kheira, and Ahmedpur Sial for emergency use.

Massive rescue and relief operations underway

Floods have affected thousands of villages across 32 districts of Punjab.

Rescue operations have so far moved 918,000 people to safer areas.

The effort involves 3,338 personnel and 806 boats, while over 611,000 livestock have also been relocated.

In the past 24 hours alone, 21,620 people were evacuated.

India alerts Pakistan of further water release

India has formally contacted Pakistan at the diplomatic level, warning of possible high floods due to additional water release into the Sutlej.

Pakistan’s Ministry of Water Resources confirmed the development, cautioning that the release at Ferozepur Headworks may trigger a fresh flood threat.

Twenty-eight key institutions have been put on alert to ensure preventive measures.