Punjab is expected to experience its 11th spell of monsoon rains from September 16 to 19, with the Provincial Disaster Management Authority (PDMA) warning of moderate to heavy rainfall in river catchment areas. Rising floodwaters in the Ravi, Chenab, and Sutlej rivers have already submerged thousands of villages, leaving widespread destruction and displacement in multiple districts across the province.
The humanitarian crisis continues to deepen as floods and rains have claimed at least 104 lives in Punjab so far, while millions remain affected. Relief Commissioner Nabil Javed confirmed that more than 4.57 million people across 4,700 villages have been impacted, with over 2.51 million residents and more than 2 million livestock evacuated to safer zones.
To provide support, the government has set up 392 relief camps, 493 medical camps, and 422 veterinary camps across flood-hit areas. However, officials fear that fresh rains could worsen conditions and slow ongoing rehabilitation efforts. Authorities have urged citizens to stay away from riverbanks and flood-prone zones during this period.
The current monsoon season, which began in late June, has brought catastrophic rainfall nationwide, sparking flash floods in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and triggering widespread losses in Rawalpindi, Islamabad, and the Potohar region. In Punjab, additional water inflows from India further intensified river flooding, leaving housing colonies and farming lands under water.
Rescue operations remain underway as thousands continue to live in temporary shelters set up across the province. The PDMA director general has appealed to citizens to remain cautious and follow safety instructions. Meanwhile, the provincial government has directed all departments and local administrations to remain on high alert for quick response during the upcoming monsoon spell.