KEY POINTS
- Floods have destroyed up to 60% of Pakistan’s rice crop
- 66 killed, 21 million displaced in Punjab
- Major rivers are experiencing medium to very high flood levels
- Pakistan Navy is actively involved in relief operations
ISLAMABAD: Monsoon rains have triggered deadly floods across Pakistan, killing more than 900 people and displacing millions, with vast farmland, homes, and key infrastructure submerged in Punjab, Sindh, and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa provinces.
The disaster has displaced millions and submerged vast areas of farmland and infrastructure in Punjab, Sindh, and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa provinces.
With rivers overflowing and dams under pressure, emergency response efforts are underway, but the scale of the devastation is overwhelming local and national resources.
Thousands of homes have been submerged, vital infrastructure damaged, and large swaths of farmland destroyed. Officials report that tens of thousands have been displaced, with rescue and relief operations struggling to keep pace.
The situation has raised urgent concerns over food security, shelter, and access to clean water, especially in the hardest-hit provinces.
According to Industry groups, the record monsoon floods have destroyed up to 60% of Pakistan’s rice crop and badly damaged sugarcane and cotton.
Punjab, Pakistan’s most populous province and a key agricultural region, has been hit hardest by the latest monsoon spell that began late last month.
According to figures released by the Provincial Disaster Management Authority (PDMA), the floods have killed 66 people, displaced or forced the evacuation of 21 million residents, and submerged nearly 1.95 million acres of farmland.
Weeks of record-breaking rainfall have caused the Chenab, Ravi, and Sutlej rivers to overflow, inundating vast areas across the province.
National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) officials said more than 500 medical camps have been set up in Punjab, treating nearly 175,000 people, while rescue teams are continuously evacuating families to safer ground.
Relief operations are also underway in Sindh, where the Indus at Guddu Barrage is expected to reach high to very-high flood levels within 24 hours.
دریائے راوی، چناب اور ستلج میں بہت اونچے درجے کا سیلاب برقرار#FloodAlert #RiverDischarge #FloodMonitoring #WaterLevelUpdate #FFDReport #HydrologyUpdate #PakistanFloods #FloodWatch #FloodStatus #InflowOutflow #ChenabRiver #RaviRiver #GSWala #PakistanMeteorologicalDepartment pic.twitter.com/u6dCLulojL
— Pak Met Department محکمہ موسمیات (@pmdgov) September 10, 2025
Multiple barrages face rising flood levels
The Federal Flood Commission (FFC) has reported varying levels of flooding across major rivers and barrages in Pakistan, with water levels continuing to rise amid ongoing monsoon rains.
According to an official statement, the Indus River is currently experiencing a medium-level flood at both Guddu and Sukkur barrages, while Kotri Barrage remains under a low-level flood.
Authorities warn that water levels at Guddu may escalate to a high flood stage within the next 24 hours.
The Ravi River is in a very high flood at Sidhnai and a medium flood at Balloki. Meanwhile, the Chenab River is experiencing a medium flood at Trimmu Barrage and a very high flood at Panjnad Barrage.
The FFC has urged authorities and residents in vulnerable areas to stay vigilant, as river flows remain elevated and may continue to rise in the coming days.
Sindh braces for peak flood
The floodwaters are now moving southward, merging into the Indus River in Sindh province, where they threaten additional farmland, villages, and major towns.
Releases from Indian dams on the Sutlej River—aimed at relieving pressure on swollen reservoirs—have further increased the flood levels, intensifying the crisis.
The scale of the flooding has sparked concern among farmers and industry leaders, who warn that national agricultural production targets may no longer be achievable.
PM directs NDMA to cooperate with Sindh in relief operations
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has taken notice of the ongoing flood crisis in Sindh, particularly in Karachi, and has directed the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) to fully support the Sindh Government in carrying out relief operations across the city and other affected areas of the province.
He praised the efforts of Rescue 1122, the Pakistan Army, and the Rangers for their active and effective role in providing relief to flood victims in Karachi.
وزیر اعظم کی خصوصی ہدایت پر این ڈی ایم اے کا سیلاب متاثر ہ علاقوں میں امدای آپریشن جاری۔این ڈی ایم اے اپنے وسائل سے ابتک1660 ٹن امدادی سامان پنجاب کے متاثر علاقوں کیلئے انتظامیہ کےحوالے کیاجس میں ریسکیوکشتیاں، واٹر فلیٹریشن پلانٹ، خیمے،کمبل،رضیاں، بستر، واٹر کین، فولڈنگ بیڈ شامل pic.twitter.com/AMk5NF4k9D
— NDMA PAKISTAN (@ndmapk) September 10, 2025
Expressing sorrow over the tragic drowning of citizens in the Gadap River, the Prime Minister instructed all relevant agencies to intensify search and rescue operations for those reported missing due to the floods.
To ensure public safety, Shehbaz Sharif emphasized the need to intensify awareness campaigns aimed at informing citizens about the evolving flood situation, enabling them to take necessary precautions.
He also called for swift measures to restore the communication infrastructure damaged by the floods.
The Prime Minister affirmed that both the federal and Sindh governments are fully mobilised and working in coordination to address the crisis.
He further directed that relief and rehabilitation efforts for families affected by the floods in Karachi be treated as a top priority.
Seven killed in rain-related incidents in Karachi
The death toll from rain-related incidents in Karachi rose to seven on Wednesday, as heavy monsoon downpours caused the Malir and Lyari rivers to swell, prompting the relocation of more than 300 people to safer areas.
According to PMD’s data, Karachi received nearly 144mm of rain since September 8, with Surjani Town witnessing the maximum rainfall. Gulshan-i-Maymar, Gulshan-i-Hadeed and Korangi recorded showers ranging between 90-110mm.
Karachi Mayor Murtaza Wahab, in a post on X earlier today, said that so far, 318 people have been “rescued [and] moved to safe [places] from around the [areas] close to Lyari Naddi and teams are still present on the ground”.
Pakistan Navy continues relief operations
The Pakistan Navy continues its large-scale relief and rescue operations in flood-affected areas across Punjab, Sindh, and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.
Hovercrafts have been deployed to evacuate stranded individuals from severely impacted districts, including Kashmore, Ghotki, Sukkur, and Shikarpur.
These specialized vehicles, capable of operating on land, water, and marshy terrain, have played a key role in reaching isolated communities.
So far, the Pakistan Navy has rescued and relocated 4,335 people from affected areas in Sindh to safer locations.
In Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, medical camps have been set up in Swat, Buner, and Shangla to provide emergency healthcare to flood victims. Relief teams are also distributing food, clean water, and essential medicines to those in need.
Operations are ongoing in several additional districts, including Kasur, Rajanpur, Dera Ismail Khan, Mirpur Khas, Sanghar, Sukkur, and Sujawal, as the Navy works to support civil authorities in managing the crisis.
