The Sutlej River continues to wreak havoc in several districts of southern Punjab, destroying homes, eroding land, and displacing hundreds of families. In Jalalpur Pirwala, two women and a young man tragically drowned as floodwaters surged into residential areas. Authorities have launched rescue operations, but rising water levels remain a serious threat. Local communities, already battered by weeks of flooding, are struggling to protect belongings as emergency evacuations intensify.
In Pakpattan, the river has shifted its course toward Baqarke village, causing rapid land erosion and the destruction of dozens of houses. Residents have begun removing valuables as water continues to advance, while heavy machinery is being deployed to construct embankments. Meanwhile, Bahawalnagar’s Basti Janan Wali and nearby areas have seen more than 50 homes collapse. Officials warn that over 500 houses remain under immediate threat as riverbank erosion continues to spread.
The destruction extends beyond homes to community infrastructure. In affected areas, a madrassa, large parts of a mosque, and a government primary school have been heavily damaged. Many families have begun demolishing their own homes to salvage materials and avoid sudden collapses. Protests have also erupted in Bahawalpur, where flood victims accused officials of closing relief camps prematurely. However, local authorities insist residents are only being guided to return as conditions improve.
Flood damage has spread to Ahmadpur Sharqia, Uch Sharif, and Minchanabad, where waterlogging has caused multiple homes to collapse. Villages such as Sarwarabad, Tarand Basharat, and Khairpur Daha have been completely destroyed, leaving families shelterless. In Minchanabad, nearly 80,000 cusecs of floodwater is passing through the Sutlej River at Baba Farid Bridge, inundating surrounding settlements and isolating communities due to broken road access.
In Liaquatpur, the Chenab and Sindh Rivers have added to the devastation, destroying homes and sweeping away crops including sugarcane, sesame, mung beans, and fodder. Villages such as Noorwala, Ghafoorabad, and Bait Zahir Pir have suffered severe losses, forcing residents to flee. Meanwhile, water levels at Guddu and Chashma Barrages are gradually receding, offering a measure of relief, though officials warn the situation remains fragile and unpredictable.
Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz has directed authorities to prioritise the restoration of link roads to ensure relief supplies and medical aid reach isolated communities. Rescue teams continue damage assessments and relief operations, urging residents in vulnerable areas to cooperate with officials and remain vigilant. Despite falling water levels in some areas, the threat of further destruction along the Sutlej River remains high, keeping communities on constant alert.