Pakistan: Nearly 2.5 million evacuated in Punjab as flood water begins to recede
(source : ANI) ( Photo Credit : ani)
Water levels are finally starting to drop in parts of south Punjab, Pakistan, but the recent floods have left a trail of destruction. Officials report that nearly 2.5 million people have been evacuated across the province, and tragically, 101 lives have been lost so far.
In a positive update, authorities have declared Jalalpur Pirwala and Alipur tehsils in Multan safe after a massive flood wave moved past Head Panjnad. The Provincial Disaster Management Authority (PDMA) is leading one of the biggest evacuation efforts in recent years, using over 1,500 rescue boats. They pulled out 12,427 people from low-lying spots along the Chenab, Ravi, and Sutlej rivers.
Districts like Multan, Muzaffargarh, and Rahim Yar Khan took the hardest hit, with thousands rescued from danger zones. Even though things are improving, the crisis is far from over. Take the Lati Mari union council in Alipur tehsil—home to 40,000 residents—it’s completely underwater right now.
Local resident Syed Kausar Shah shared his story with Dawn news. “Around 15,000 people from my basti Azeem Shah left on their own when the floodwaters got too close,” he said. Their homes and crops are ruined, and they had to hire a private boat to escape. Many are now staying with relatives in Alipur city, while others huddle on dykes under the open sky or in government relief camps. Sadly, two people drowned during the rush to flee.
Multan Deputy Commissioner Waseem Hamid Sindhu revealed that teams evacuated 100,000 people from Jalalpur Pirwala in just three days. Workers are fixing breaches in Shujabad and Jalalpur Pirwala, and helicopters plus drones are dropping food and medicine to hard-to-reach areas. Relief boats are also delivering supplies to rural communities hit by the Pakistan floods.
At a press briefing in Bahawalpur, PDMA Director General Irfan Ali Kathia gave more details. Panjnad Headworks is still in a high flood situation, but water levels fell from a peak of 700,000 cusecs earlier this week to 575,000 cusecs by Saturday. “No threat to Jalalpur Pirwala or Alipur cities,” he assured, adding that Bahawalpur’s levels should ease in the next 24 hours. He called the evacuation a historic effort, saying Multan district dodged forced relocations thanks to quick action.
Official numbers paint a grim picture: 4,447 mouzas in 28 districts are flooded, and rescuers saved 2.19 million cattle, moving them to safer spots. The Flood Forecasting Division noted that by Saturday evening, flows at key headworks on the Chenab, Ravi, and Sutlej rivers had stabilized. At Panjnad, the flow dropped to 492,695 cusecs—a big relief of nearly 200,000 cusecs in 24 hours. On the Sutlej at Ganda Singh Wala, it’s now at 95,000 cusecs, a medium flood level.
As Punjab flood updates continue, relief teams are working around the clock to help those affected. Stay tuned for more on this ongoing humanitarian effort.
Stay informed on all the latest news, real-time breaking news updates, and follow all the important headlines in world News on Latest NewsX. Follow us on social media Facebook, Twitter(X), Gettr and subscribe our Youtube Channel.
