KARACHI/LAHORE: Sindh Chief Minister Murad Ali Shah on Sunday warned that the province is preparing for a potential “super flood” of up to 0.9 million cusecs as floodwaters from Punjab move downstream.
Visiting Guddu and Sukkur barrages, he said saving lives, protecting livestock and securing major barrages remain the top priority, with the Sindh government, PDMA, Army, and Navy fully mobilised.
The CM said 948 relief camps have been established across 15 districts, equipped with food, medicines, mobile health units and snakebite vaccines. Evacuation plans and boats are in place, while over 1.6 million people across 1,651 villages could be affected if water levels cross 0.9 million cusecs. Sensitive embankments, including the KK dyke and Shank dyke, are under close monitoring.
Murad noted that 0.5 million cusecs are currently passing through Guddu Barrage — significantly below the 2010 peak of 1.1 million — but cautioned that higher inflows could cause major devastation. He also directed police to establish pickets to prevent dacoits from exploiting the situation in flood-hit areas.
NDMA Chairman Lt-Gen Inam Haider Malik warned on Sunday that another low-pressure rain spell is expected in the next two to three days, likely affecting eastern Punjab and Azad Kashmir.
Addressing a press conference in Islamabad, he said all rivers were being closely monitored, with excess flows in the Indus and Jhelum regulated at Kalabagh, Chashma and Taunsa before converging at Panjnad. Flood torrents are expected to gather at Trimmu within two days and move downstream to Guddu Barrage with volumes between 800,000 and 1.3 million cusecs, possibly reaching Sindh by Thursday or Friday.
The NDMA chief said more than 600,000 people have already been evacuated to relief camps, with rescue and relief efforts continuing until damaged infrastructure is restored. He added that once the monsoon ends in early September, a national database of flood damages will be compiled.
So far, 850 people have lost their lives and over 1,150 have been injured, with the toll expected to rise. Lt Gen Malik stressed that NDMA issued early warnings with 95% accuracy, enabling authorities to prepare for climate-related stress points.
Meanwhile, India released floodwater into the tributary, again, by opening spillway gates of the Salal Dam, the Punjab government sources told Geo News on Sunday.
The incoming floodwater in Chenab River from India amounts to 800,000 cusecs, the sources said. They added that the torrent is expected to reach Head Marala within the next two days.
Director General (DG) Punjab Disaster Management Authority (PDMA) Irfan Kathia on Sunday said Punjab is facing one of the worst floods in history, with 33 confirmed deaths, over 2 million people affected, and 2,200 villages submerged.
Briefing the media, he said water levels in the Sutlej River are receding at Kasur, Pakpattan, Bahawalnagar and Vehari, but rising at Head Sulemanki, expected to peak by evening. At Trimmu Barrage, the flow has surged to 361,633 cusecs — an increase of 100,000 cusecs.
He added that the ninth spell of monsoon rains has worsened the situation. The Pakistan Army is actively assisting in relief operations, with 750,000 people evacuated to safer places and relief camps providing essential facilities. Kathia warned that while the Sutlej’s flow is declining, fresh inundations are expected in villages along the Ravi and Chenab, threatening areas in Muzaffargarh and Multan.
Punjab Senior Minister Marriyum Aurangzeb on Sunday said that a high alert had been issued in flood-affected districts, with saving lives being the government’s top priority. She said over 750,000 people have been evacuated to safer places “in the largest rescue operation in Punjab’s history”.
Addressing a press conference, she said more than 500,000 cattle have been relocated, over 400 veterinary camps set up and fodder arranged. Relief operations are in full swing, alongside efforts to clear encroachments in drains. She added that tree cutting under the guise of firewood auctions had been banned for the first time, warning against further environmental damage.
The south Punjab administration is on high alert as nearly 800,000 cusecs of floodwater is expected to pass through the Chenab River on Monday night, with possible diversions at Sher Shah and Head Muhammadwala under consideration.
According to updated figures, more than 541,000 people have been evacuated across the region and 215 relief camps set up, equipped with food, medicines and shelter. Multan Division has seen the highest evacuations with 409,000 people moved to safety, followed by 125,000 in Bahawalpur and 23,000 in Dera Ghazi Khan.
Floods have devastated agriculture, destroying over 499,000 acres of crops — Bahawalpur being the worst-hit with losses to 386,263 acres. Relief operations are reinforced by 215 medical camps, 51 mobile units and 11 clinics-on-wheels, which have treated nearly 15,000 patients.
Officials said many displaced families prefer to stay with relatives rather than in relief camps, while those refusing evacuation are being moved forcibly to safe locations.
Separately Federal Minister for Climate Change Musadik Malik Sunday said the government is taking proactive measures to contain floodwaters at Trimmu, Panjnad and Kot Mithan, aiming to keep river flows below one million cusecs through controlled breaches at uninhabited points.
Speaking at a joint press conference with NDMA Chairman Lt Gen Inam Haider Malik, he said nearly two million people have been displaced nationwide, with the poorest 40 per cent — around 800,000 families — facing the brunt of the crisis. Relief supplies including food, tents, medicines, mosquito nets and clean water are being distributed, while medical teams are on high alert for epidemics in makeshift camps.
The minister emphasized that Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and the military leadership are closely monitoring the situation, with the Army, Rangers, NDMA, PDMA and Rescue 1122 coordinating rescue and relief efforts. He noted that prior simulations and evacuation drills helped reduce casualties compared to previous disasters.
Warning that Punjab’s river system could face extreme pressure if flows surge further, Malik said Pakistan’s plight underscores the harsh reality of climate change, despite the country contributing less than one percent of global emissions.
Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz on Sunday continued her visits to flood-hit areas for the fourth consecutive day, reaching the relief camp set up at DPS Kasur to meet women and children displaced by the floods.
She interacted with families, inquired about their problems and personally consoled patients at a temporary hospital. She was briefed that 29 villages in Kasur district had been inundated, displacing over 18,000 residents and affecting more than 36,000 people, with livestock also rescued. Currently, 60 families (312 people) are housed in the camp, where food, healthcare and education are being provided.
Later, the CM visited Talwar Post in Sheikhupura area during heavy rains, welcoming rescued families arriving by boat. Two rafts carrying 55 cattle, a farmer’s family, a tractor, and a motorcycle rickshaw also reached the camp during her visit.
Maryam also witnessed a demonstration of thermal drone surveillance during her visit to Talwar Post. She also operated a thermal drone and watched its video.
Separately, three people, including two children, were killed and three others seriously injured when the roof of a house collapsed due to heavy rains in village Kot Akbar of Nankana Sahib on Sunday. The victims were identified as 45-year-old Kausar Bibi, 8-year-old Ayesha, and 12-year-old Nimra. Rescue 1122 shifted the injured—Mahar Yar, Shahir Yar, and Tahira Bibi—to hospital.
On the other hand, Assistant Commissioner (AC), Pattoki, Furqan Muhammad Khan, passed away on Sunday morning after days of relentless flood relief work. According to officials, the young officer had been supervising rescue and relief operations in Pattoki, Phoolnagar and Head Balloki without rest, and had not slept the previous night due to worsening conditions.
He collapsed suddenly at the Head Balloki Rest House and could not be revived. Colleagues remembered him as a committed officer who remained on the frontline, personally overseeing evacuations, relief distribution and safety measures in flood-hit villages.
Meanwhile, the district of Jhang, historically prone to devastating floods, is once again in peril as water levels surge at Rivaz Bridge and Trimmu Barrage. Officials confirmed that Trimmu, rehabilitated in 2015 to handle 875,000 cusecs and now operated through a SCADA system, is discharging at high flood levels, with inflows expected to rise further in the next 48 hours.
To relieve pressure, irrigation authorities approved controlled breaches on both the Garh Maharaja and Shorkot sides. While the Garh Maharaja breach was executed, the Shorkot breach was allegedly avoided to protect farmland belonging to a retired official, diverting floodwaters toward Garh Maharaja. This move has endangered hundreds of thousands, including the shrine of Hazrat Sultan Bahu (RA), where management has blocked water entry with sandbags.
Local MPA Rana Shehbaz Ahmed Khan strongly criticised the decision, accusing authorities of sacrificing Garh Maharaja’s population. Residents also protested shortages of food and relief, as floodwaters devastated crops, livestock and homes.
District officials assured that breaches would only be carried out in the public interest, while relief efforts continue. However, experts warn rising inflows from the Jhelum River could further intensify the crisis in the coming days.
At Kamalia’s Mal Fatyana point, a high-level flood wave in the Ravi River has submerged 55 villages in Kamalia and Pirmahal, affecting more than 80,000 people. The administration reported that 76,232 residents have been shifted to safety with the support of Civil Defence, Punjab Police, Pakistan Army, and Para Force. Rescue 1122 and health teams provided medical assistance to 889 people, while 61,490 livestock were also relocated and vaccinated. Relief camps are hosting 708 people with food, water, and fodder supplies.
In Mandi Bahauddin, DC Dr Faisal said the Chenab River flow at Qadirabad had dropped below 200,000 cusecs. Relief operations led by the Army, PDMA, and Rescue 1122 continue, with 3,000 food hampers and animal feed bags distributed daily, alongside veterinary support for 4,000 animals.
Meanwhile, in Faisalabad, DC Nadeem Nasir inspected Tandlianwala Pul Mari Pattan, confirming a flow of 230,000 cusecs but assured that bridges and infrastructure remain safe. Eleven villages were evacuated, while livestock were provided fodder and medical care. Relief camps remain active as officials monitor the situation around the clock.
A high-level flood in the River Sutlej has struck Jamlera and Sahoka, raising the flow to 120,000 cusecs and inundating the Sahoka link road, while water has breached farmers’ embankments and cut off dozens of settlements. The Sahoka Police Station and local grid station are also at risk.
According to Saeed Ahmad Khan, Secretary to the Ombudsperson Punjab for Flood Measures, the latest water levels stand at 105,000 cusecs at Jamlera, 65,000 cusecs at Head Islam, and 54,237 cusecs at Head Siphon. So far, 75 villages have been affected, impacting 60,929 residents and submerging 30,035 acres of farmland.
Relief efforts have been intensified in Vehari. The administration has established 17 flood camps, 10 medical camps, 11 livestock camps and 10 mobile clinics, treating 851 patients and vaccinating 2,198 animals. More than 56,763 people and 38,725 cattle have been evacuated, while 550 tents have been distributed.
The defensive bund near Jummewala, adjacent to Head Ganda Singh on the Sutlej River, breached on Sunday under intense water pressure, inundating hundreds of acres and affecting several villages, including Rasul Nagar, Futoohiwala, Kujiawala and Hussain Khan Wala.
Local residents, backed by PPP leader Chaudhry Manzoor Ahmad, claimed that warnings about leaks in the bund were ignored, leading to the collapse. The flood has forced hundreds of families to migrate, spreading fear and panic in the area.
Authorities and relief organisations are struggling to respond as floodwaters continue to advance. The Sutlej River at Ganda Singh Wala is in high flood, with a flow of 253,068 cusecs and a water level of 22.9 feet, further worsened by 24-hour rainfall.
The situation remains critical as emergency measures are underway to safeguard lives and property.
