Key points
- 150,000 people and 35,000 livestock heads shifted to safe places
- Relief, medical and veterinary camps established in flood-affected areas
- Authorities blow up dam embankments to save populations
ISLAMABAD: The death toll from devastating floods in Pakistan’s Punjab province has risen to 15 as large swathes of land remained submerged amid monsoon deluge.
Gujranwala division commissioner said in a statement that five people lost their lives in Sialkot, four in Gujrat, three in Narowal, two in Hafizabad and one in Gujranwala.
Official figures confirm that over 150,000 people and 35,000 livestock heads were shifted to safe places, and relief camps, along with medical and veterinary camps, were established in flood-affected areas.
Pakistan Army’s Relief and Rescue Operations in Kot Momin for Flood victims
Like other areas of Punjab, Kot Momin is also severely affected by the flood situation.
Pakistan Army Launches Relief Operation in Kot Momin to Assist Flood Victims
Pakistan Army personnel have… pic.twitter.com/hPehQR86vE
— Pakistan Armed Forces News 🇵🇰 (@PakistanFauj) August 28, 2025
Punjab estimates that over 600,000 people have been affected, while UN-OCHA said the death toll from this monsoon season is almost three times the fatalities recorded in the same period last year.
🚨 Flood Emergency
🔹 Up to 150,000 people reportedly evacuated across eastern #Punjab as water levels rise rapidly in Ravi, Sutlej & Chenab Rivers
🔹 “Very high to exceptionally high” flood alert issued@NDMApk➡️@OCHAPakistan’s Flash Update #3:https://t.co/zu2RBkp476 pic.twitter.com/W0QSgOONxg
— United Nations Pakistan – اقوام متحدہ پاکستان (@UNinPak) August 27, 2025
Catastrophic flooding in the Sutlej, Ravi and Chenab rivers has forced hundreds of thousands from their homes, causing significant damage to infrastructure and devastating millions of acres of agricultural land.
The three transboundary rivers have swollen to exceptionally high levels due to a combination of heavy rains and the excess water India is releasing from dams, which then flows across the border.
The crisis, which affects central districts, now threatens south Punjab as the combined thrust of four rivers is set to converge on Thursday.
On Wednesday, Pakistan authorities blew up an embankment next to a monsoon-engorged dam as flooding submerged one of the world’s holiest Sikh sites.
It has triggered flood alerts throughout Punjab province, home to nearly half of Pakistan’s 255 million people. The army was also deployed to help evacuate people and livestock near the Chenab, Ravi and Sutlej rivers.
Around 210,000 people had moved to another location, according to the disaster authorities.
Pakistan Rangers (Punjab) continue rescue operations in flood-affected Sulemanki#Floods2025 #Floods #News #RadioPakistan https://t.co/s32OTNZ02C pic.twitter.com/mbWiFbrrLe
— Radio Pakistan (@RadioPakistan) August 28, 2025
At the Qadirabad dam on the Chenab River, authorities carried out a controlled explosion of an embankment on Wednesday as the water levels rose.
“To save the structure, we have breached the right marginal embankment so that the flow of the water reduces,” said Mazhar Hussain, a spokesperson for Punjab’s disaster management agency.
The Kartarpur temple, which marks where the founder of the Sikh faith Guru Nanak is said to have died in 1539, was submerged by floodwater.
In times of crisis, true leadership steps forward. 🇵🇰 Federal Minister Prof. Ahsan Iqbal personally led the rescue operations in Kartarpur, ensuring the safe evacuation of Sikh pilgrims trapped due to floods.
His presence on the ground shows compassion, courage, and commitment… pic.twitter.com/7hqHmUCYf5
— Ministry of Planning and Development (@PlanComPakistan) August 27, 2025
Five boats were sent to the sprawling site to rescue around 100 stranded people.
Pakistan authorities said neighbouring India had released water from upstream dams on its side of the border, further increasing the flow headed towards Pakistan.
Islamabad’s foreign ministry said New Delhi gave advanced notice through diplomatic channels ahead of opening the spillways.
Indian government officials have not commented.
