Pakistan Battles Punjab Floods as Thousands Stranded

Pakistan is racing against time to rescue tens of thousands trapped by rising floodwaters in Punjab. The devastating Punjab floods have left families without food, medicine, or shelter as authorities struggle to deliver aid and prevent major cities, including Lahore, from being overwhelmed.

Sudden Onset of Floods

The disaster began earlier this week when heavy monsoon rains forced India to release water from dams on the Sutlej, Chenab, and Ravi rivers. The sudden surge created the worst flooding Punjab has seen in four decades. New Delhi warned Islamabad of possible cross-border flooding, but the sheer volume of water quickly overwhelmed defenses.

By Friday, nearly 300,000 people had been evacuated, yet more than a million remained affected. Irfan Ali Kathia, director general of the Punjab Disaster Management Authority, confirmed that 20 people had died in Punjab this week. The nationwide death toll from this season’s floods has now reached 820 since late June.

Army Leads Rescue Efforts

Pakistan’s army has taken a leading role in rescue and relief operations. Field Marshal Asim Munir visited Narowal district on Friday, one of the hardest-hit areas, to oversee efforts. Nearly 1,100 relief and medical camps are active across Punjab, providing temporary shelter and treatment. Authorities are also establishing new medical facilities as floodwaters continue to spread.

Despite these measures, many survivors report they have not yet received any official assistance. Entire families sit by roadsides, surrounded by water, waiting for food and medical support.

Read: Pakistan Diverts Floodwaters to Save Jhang as Monsoon Intensifies

Breaking Embankments to Save Cities

To protect Lahore and other major urban centers, authorities and the military carried out controlled breaches of protective embankments along the Chenab River. This move aimed to reduce pressure on city defenses by diverting water into less populated areas.

The National Disaster Management Authority warned that water levels remain dangerously high, and any additional rainfall could worsen the crisis. Officials fear that more villages will be submerged if the rains persist.

Voices from the Ground

The human cost of the floods is evident in countless stories of survival. Mohammad Saleem, a farmer from Narowal, said he and hundreds of others were stranded on a road with nothing. “We are in great misery. Neither the government nor anyone else has come to inquire about us,” he said.

Rana Hanan, a lecturer at Narowal University, described how over 100 homes in his community were destroyed. “When the water came, people saved themselves on their own,” he explained.

Many residents remain trapped on rooftops, while others who escaped to higher ground now face hunger, infections, and unsafe drinking water.

Worsening Health Crisis

Floodwaters have sparked a growing public health emergency. Lack of clean water and sanitation has led to outbreaks of skin infections, diarrhea, and malaria. Private charities have stepped in where government assistance has lagged.

In Kartarpur village, Sahara Foundation established a medical camp. Dr. Bilal Siddiq, a senior physician, reported that 50 nearby villages are still submerged. “Fungal and skin infections are everywhere,” he said. “We’re also seeing rising cases of diarrhea, gastric pain, and malaria.”

One resident, Haji Amjad, 45, sat outside his flooded home with swollen, infected feet. “My whole body itches, my stomach hurts, and there’s no medicine,” he said after spending four days without proper treatment.

Millions Face Uncertainty

For the displaced, the future is filled with uncertainty. Families have lost homes, crops, and livestock. Fields once ready for harvest now lie under water, threatening food supplies and livelihoods. Children sit by the roadside, waiting for aid, while parents worry about how they will rebuild once the waters recede.

Authorities admit that relief operations face severe challenges. With so many areas submerged, roads remain blocked, making it difficult to deliver supplies. Helicopters and boats are being used to reach stranded families, but the scale of the disaster far exceeds current resources.

A Nation on Alert

Pakistan has experienced deadly floods in past years, but the scale and suddenness of this disaster have left the country reeling. Officials fear the situation may deteriorate further if more rain falls in coming weeks.

The government is under pressure to speed up relief distribution and provide immediate assistance to those in dire need. Local communities, charities, and volunteers continue to play a vital role, but survivors say more must be done quickly.

The Punjab floods are more than a natural disaster—they are a humanitarian emergency. They have exposed vulnerabilities in Pakistan’s disaster preparedness and highlighted the urgent need for stronger infrastructure, faster response mechanisms, and sustained support for the millions now struggling to survive.