As Punjab faces one of the worst floods in its history, authorities destroyed embankments to save Multan from floods and shield millions from devastation. The Ravi, Chenab, and Sutlej rivers are simultaneously in high flood for the first time, creating a crisis that has overwhelmed defenses across the province.
Controlled Blasts to Protect Multan
With the Chenab rising towards Multan, officials blew up five protective dykes at Basti Sanki, Basti Duaba, Chak Rohari, Chak Mithon, and Shershah. These controlled blasts redirected floodwaters away from the city. Moreover, Relief Commissioner Nabil Javed explained the urgency: “We had no other option to drain the water. Every available resource is being used to safeguard lives and infrastructure.”
So far, floods have claimed 28 lives across Punjab. However, officials warn that casualties may rise as water levels increase.
Sutlej River Threatens Kasur
The Sutlej has already inundated Bahawalnagar, Pakpattan, Arifwala, Qabula, Kamalia, Lodhran, Manawala, Sarai Mughal, and Rojhan. In Kasur, continuous rainfall worsened the disaster, isolating dozens of villages and destroying thousands of acres of standing crops. Consequently, officials ordered evacuations in ten more villages.
Preparations also moved forward to breach the Right Retired Embankment (RRA-1) near Kasur. Meanwhile, mosque announcements urged residents to move quickly to safer areas before nightfall.
Strategic Breaches to Relieve Jhang
Authorities expect a peak of 855,000 cusecs at Head Trimmu. Therefore, they have already evacuated more than 429,000 residents. Bunds near Athara Hazari in Jhang were demolished to ease pressure on Head Trimmu. In addition, officials destroyed the Rivaz Bridge flood bund to protect Jhang city.
Explosives planted near Rungpur and Shershah may also divert water from Head Muhammad Wala. These measures aim to prevent Multan’s defenses from collapsing.
Rising River Levels
According to NDMA reports, river levels remain dangerously high:
- Ravi River: Head Jassar steady at 82,140 cusecs; Shahdara steady at 159,847 cusecs; Balloki rising at 180,520 cusecs.
- Sutlej River: Ganda Singh Wala rising at 385,569 cusecs; Suleimanki steady at 138,058 cusecs; Islam steady at 60,814 cusecs.
- Indus River: Medium flood at Guddu with 350,943 cusecs; steady flows at Kalabagh (206,300 cusecs) and Taunsa (222,700 cusecs).
Furthermore, NDMA issued fresh advisories confirming extremely high floods at Balloki (197,170 cusecs) and Ganda Singh Wala (303,828 cusecs). High flood levels continue at Shahdara (138,600 cusecs) and Suleimanki (138,058 cusecs).
Mass Evacuations and Relief Efforts
So far, 1.46 million people across 1,769 villages have been affected. Authorities have relocated 429,000 residents, established 365 relief camps, and moved 300,000 animals to safe areas. Meanwhile, the Pakistan Army and PDMA are delivering food, medicine, and temporary shelter.
Deputy Commissioner Waseem Hamid Sindhu confirmed that Multan’s administration plans to evacuate another 300,000 people from riverine zones.
Multan on High Alert
Multan remains under high alert. NHA Chairman Shahryar Sultan and Commissioner Amir Kareem Khan reviewed flood defenses at Head Muhammad Wala and Bund Bosan. They warned that a surge of up to 800,000 cusecs could strike Multan within 48 hours.
If that occurs, officials will breach the Head Muhammad Wala road to redirect the water. As a result, thousands more may need to evacuate urgently.
Dam and Reservoir Updates
Reservoirs also reached critical levels:
- Tarbela Dam hit maximum conservation capacity at 1,550 feet, with inflows of 188,500 cusecs.
- Mangla Dam rose to 1,223 feet, 173 feet above dead level.
- Rawal Dam stood nearly full at 1,750.50 feet (capacity 1,752 feet).
- Simili Dam reached 2,314.75 feet, just below its maximum.
Officials continue monitoring inflows to avoid sudden discharges downstream.
Impact on Crops and Farmers
In Kabirwala, floodwaters from the Ravi forced farmers to harvest crops early. Consequently, large areas of rice, cotton, and maize now lie ruined. Farmers appealed for relief packages, stressing that they cannot recover without government compensation. Moreover, livestock losses continue to rise, worsening rural hardship.
Fresh Warnings
PDMA Director-General Irfan Ali Kathia warned that within 48 hours, floodwaters would move towards Head Sulemanki. Officials expect 800,000 cusecs at Trimmu and nearly one million cusecs at Guddu Barrage by September 6.
NDMA has also issued SMS alerts across high-risk areas including Marala, Khanki, and Qadirabad headworks. Consequently, thousands more families may evacuate in the coming days.
Punjab’s Tough Choices
Authorities continue to destroy embankments to save Multan from floods, despite the damage to smaller villages. These drastic actions protect millions in major cities, but they leave rural communities with immense losses.
Therefore, experts argue that Pakistan must invest in stronger flood defenses, long-term planning, and climate adaptation. Without these measures, Punjab will remain exposed to recurring disasters.
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For now, Punjab’s fight for survival continues, with embankments sacrificed and entire communities displaced to keep Multan safe.
