Floodwaters From Punjab Wreak Havoc in Sindh

Floodwaters moving from South Punjab have now entered Sindh, submerging hundreds of villages in the riverine (Kacha) belt. The continuous rise in the Indus River has put massive pressure on protective embankments, forcing families to shift to safer areas.

Flood Situation in Sindh

At Kotri Barrage, a low-level flood is ongoing, but protective points like Moria Loop Bund and Barro Patan near Naudero are under severe stress. Crops in the nearby fields have been destroyed as floodwater enters agricultural land.

In Ghotki and Ubauro, several villages are now underwater. People are moving their livestock and household items to higher ground. At Ronti embankment, floodwater has submerged cotton and sugarcane fields, causing heavy agricultural losses.

Punjab’s Struggle Continues

Although water levels in Punjab’s rivers have fallen, destruction continues in southern Punjab.

• In Shujaabad’s Jalalpur Khakhi area, a 45-year-old man drowned while trying to save his animals.

• In Chishtian, floods from the Sutlej River submerged 47 villages, damaging sugarcane, rice, maize, and sesame crops on over 48,000 acres.

• At Chachran, a moderate flood has drowned dozens of settlements and crops on hundreds of acres.

• In Uch Sharif, 25 villages are underwater. Thousands of acres of farmland have been lost, and locals face food shortages. Private boats are reportedly charging up to Rs40,000 for transporting goods. Residents are demanding Punjab CM Maryam Nawaz to visit the affected areas.

• In Ali Pur, villages like Ghalwan Doam, Choki Gabol, Mari, Khan Garh Doimah, and others remain submerged, leaving residents without relief.

• In Minchanabad, 67 villages have been hit by Sutlej floods, affecting more than 56,000 people. Many families are still living in the open, while road links to 20 villages remain cut off.

Rain Forecast for Punjab

The 11th spell of monsoon is expected from September 16 to 19, with heavy rain predicted in several districts including Rawalpindi, Lahore, Gujranwala, Gujrat, Sialkot, Okara, Sahiwal, and Mianwali.

Dam Levels and Barrages

Federal Minister for Water Resources Moeen Wattoo confirmed that since August 27, Tarbela Dam is at full capacity, while Mangla Dam is at 95% with limited capacity left.

• At Guddu Barrage, a high-level flood is reported, with inflow at 635,759 cusecs and outflow at 606,489 cusecs.

• At Sukkur Barrage, moderate flooding continues, with inflow at 538,916 cusecs.

• At Kotri Barrage, the water flow remains at low-level flood stage.

Meanwhile, water levels at Chashma Barrage are decreasing, with inflow recorded at 168,200 cusecs.

Humanitarian Crisis

Thousands of families across Punjab and Sindh remain displaced, struggling with food shortages, damaged homes, and destroyed crops. Relief operations are ongoing, but many affected residents say the aid is not reaching remote villages on time.