Lahore, (Republicpk.com) — The flood crisis engulfing Punjab has intensified, leaving a trail of devastation across 3,243 villages and displacing millions. Since August 26, at least 41 people have died in incidents linked to drowning, infrastructure collapse, and electrocution.
Provincial authorities are grappling with rising water levels in major rivers, including the Sutlej, whose flow remains dangerously high due to upstream releases. Emergency teams are considering controlled breaches in embankments to protect urban centers from further inundation.
The situation is especially critical at Head Muhammad Wala and Head Sidhani, where rising waters have forced a complete halt to traffic. Water has already entered Bahawalpur and Bahawalnagar, and officials anticipate the flood peak to reach Panjnad by September 5.
Relief operations face significant hurdles due to ongoing rainfall. Hundreds of camps have been established, but access to remote areas remains limited. Medical teams and rescue units are working around the clock, yet the scale of displacement continues to grow.
BBC Urdu highlights that the floodwaters released from neighboring India have compounded the crisis, with no signs of the Sutlej’s flow receding. The lack of timely alerts has drawn criticism from local officials, who argue that earlier warnings could have mitigated the damage.
As Punjab braces for more rain, the province stands at a crossroads—between resilience and ruin. The coming days will test the strength of its people and the coordination of its emergency response.