Key Points
- Panjnad barrage witnesses very high flood
- Rivers Ravi, Chenab and Sutlej stabilise
- 33 million Pakistanis affected
ISLAMABAD: After weeks of unprecedented monsoon devastation, floodwaters in Pakistan’s major rivers are finally receding. Yet the danger remains acute, with authorities warning that the Panjnad barrage in eastern Punjab is still under severe strain as high flows threaten surrounding communities.
Although conditions have improved in many regions but authorities warn that the crisis is far from over as the Panjnad barrage faces very high flood, with water flow measured at 369,085 cusecs, down from its peak on 11–12 September, but still dangerously elevated.
According to the Disaster Management Authority, extensive flooding triggered by record monsoon rains and rapid glacier melt has so far killed up to 1000 people and displaced or otherwise affected over 33 million across the country.
Entire communities have been submerged, while essential infrastructure such as roads, bridges, railways and agricultural fields have been washed away.
Potential outbreak
Initial estimates pegged the damage at around $10 billion, but updated projections now place the figure above $30 billion, making this one of the costliest natural disasters in the country’s history, according to CNN.
Health authorities have expressed grave concern over the potential outbreak of waterborne diseases, including cholera and dengue, as stagnant floodwaters remain in low-lying regions. Experts estimate that it could take up to six months for floodwaters to fully recede in the worst-hit areas.
Hydrological snapshot
As of September 15, water levels in the Chenab River at Trimmu, Marala, Khanki, and Qaiderabad have returned to normal, significantly easing pressure on the system.
Formerly in a very high flood state, the Ravi River is now stable with only localised drainage issues persisting.
Flood surges have stabilised in the Sutlej River, and downstream areas like Kasur, Okara, and Vehari are slowly recovering, though some pockets remain underwater.
In Indus River, a massive flood wave is building downstream from Guddu Barrage, with inflows currently around 635,000 cusecs. The crest is expected to reach Sukkur by 17–18 September, and Kotri by the end of the month.
Southern Punjab is under stress
Despite improvements upstream, southern Punjab continues to bear the brunt. Areas such as Muzaffargarh, Rajanpur, Bahawalpur, Lodhran, and Rahim Yar Khan remain under stress, particularly near the confluence zones.
Villages near Chichran Shareef, Mithan Kot, Sadiqabad, and Alipur have experienced massive inundation, though waters are gradually withdrawing.
