MULTAN (Republicpk.com) — Punjab is facing what officials are calling the largest flood surge in its history, and Multan is now directly in its path. Over the past 24 hours, the Provincial Disaster Management Authority (PDMA) has intensified rescue operations across the province, warning that Multan, Khanewal, and several other districts could be severely impacted within the next day.
According to PDMA Director General Irfan Ali Kathia, the flood surge passing through Punjab is unprecedented. He confirmed that 2.6 lakh cusecs of water are currently flowing through Kasur, with 1.75 lakh cusecs expected at Head Sulemanki, and 1.35 lakh cusecs at Head Islam. Water flow at Balloki on the Ravi River is rising rapidly, and villages in Khanewal are expected to be affected within the next 24 hours.
Kathia also stated that on September 2, water from the Ravi River will merge with the Chenab, potentially amplifying the flood’s impact. At Head Trimmu, the flow is delayed by 18 hours, but by Monday afternoon, a surge of 700,000 cusecs is expected to pass through. At Head Muhammad Wala, the flow could reach 800,000 cusecs, while floodwaters are also expected to pass through Sher Shah Bridge.
The PDMA has warned that water from the Sutlej River will pass through four districts, and Multan remains at high risk over the next 24 hours.
So far, the Punjab government estimates that two million people have been affected across the province. In Multan alone, over 119,000 residents have been evacuated. Across Punjab, the total number of displaced individuals has surpassed 700,000. PDMA has deployed 800 boats and 1,300 personnel, with support from the Pakistan Army.
“We are working round the clock to save lives. Every district is mobilized,” said DG PDMA Irfan Ali Kathia.
To protect urban infrastructure, authorities executed controlled breaches near Head Muhammad Wala, redirecting floodwaters into agricultural zones. Relief Commissioner Nabil Javed defended the move, calling it a strategic necessity.
“These demolitions were life-saving. We had to act fast to prevent catastrophic damage,” said Javed.
Locals expressed frustration over delayed alerts and limited transport. Many fled on foot, carrying children and livestock through waist-deep water.
“We got the warning late. There were no boats, no buses. We walked for hours,” said Shahbaz Ali, a resident of Aliabad.
The PDMA has established over 500 relief camps, repurposing schools and community centers. Medical teams are on-site, and food supplies are being airlifted to inaccessible areas. Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz praised the emergency response and ordered immediate restoration of electricity and mobile networks in flood-hit zones.
The Power Division reported partial restoration in Multan, with full recovery expected once floodwaters recede. Meanwhile, the National Emergency Operations Center (NEOC) suspended the anti-polio campaign in affected districts, reallocating resources to flood relief.
As floodwaters continue to swallow homes and farmland, early harvesting has begun to minimize crop losses. The emotional toll is rising, not just in lost property, but in the stories of resilience and heartbreak emerging from submerged streets.