A massive flood of 750,000 cusecs is expected to enter Sindh on Sunday, according to Pakistan’s Provincial Disaster Management Authority (PDMA). This follows weeks of relentless flooding across Punjab, which has already displaced over 4.5 million people. PDMA Director General Irfan Ali Kathia called it the largest rescue operation in Punjab’s history.
Speaking at a press conference in Bahawalpur, Kathia said 28 districts in Punjab are underwater. Over 4,700 villages have flooded, forcing the evacuation of 2.5 million people and 2 million animals. Sadly, 101 people have died, and several remain injured. Authorities faced resistance from some residents during evacuation efforts, especially in southern Punjab.
Water levels in rivers remain dangerously high. The flood is now rising at Guddu Barrage and will reach Sindh within 24 hours. The Ravi, Chenab, and Sutlej rivers have already wreaked havoc in Multan, while Jalalpur Pirwala and Shujaabad are currently safe. In Alipur, a red alert has been issued due to extreme flooding from five converging rivers.
The situation in Alipur is worsening. Fourteen of sixteen union councils are submerged. Crops on hundreds of thousands of acres are destroyed. Electricity and mobile networks are down, and mass migration is underway. The administration has shut all schools and turned them into emergency relief camps.
Kathia warned that future floods could be worse if climate change and river encroachments are not addressed. He said this year’s flood at Head Qadirabad was more destructive than the historic 1955 flood. Compensation has begun, but officials stress the need for long-term planning to prevent similar disasters.