Flood death toll rises to 30 n 130 villages inundated in Jhang district 14 snake bites cases reported due to flood in Sialkot PDMA issues high alert for Jhang, Multan as 900,000 cusecs expected at Trimmu Headworks and 700,000 cusecs at Head Muhammad Wala today.
LAHORE/ISLAMABAD/MULTAN – Widespread and heavy rains hampered rescue efforts in many flood-hit districts of the Punjab province on Saturday as water level continue to rise in major rivers, increasing the risk of further high flooding.
Dozens of snake-bite cases are being reported in flood hit districts. The death toll from severe floods sweeping the Punjab province has risen to 30. More than 481,000 people have been evacuated from affected areas and moved to safe locations.
“The northeastern belt of Punjab is currently experiencing sustained rainfall, which has caused flood-like conditions in several areas. It means water levels are rising, relief operations are being hampered, and the risk of further flooding is high as the rain continues,” a top official of the Provincial Disaster Management Authority (PDMA) Punjab told reporters on Saturday.
Marriyum Aurangzeb, a senior minister in Punjab’s provincial government, said 68,477 people had been rescued over the past 36 hours.
According to officials, relief operations expedited in Jhang as water from the Chenab River inundated over one hundred and thirty villages in the district.
In the suburban area of Jhang, the main gate of the shrine of Hazrat Sultan Bahoo (RA) has also been closed. However, visitors are being allowed entry through alternative gates.
According to official sources, the water flow at Chund Bridge has reached five hundred and fifty thousand cusec, while at Head Trimmu it stands at one hundred and forty-seven thousand cusec. Authorities confirmed that all protective embankments across the district remain safe, with the Irrigation Department and other agencies on high alert.
Heavy machinery had been deployed at sensitive points to ensure the security of protective dykes. Rescue teams are in the field to extend all possible assistance to the flood-affected people besides ensuring immediate provision of food and other essential supplies.
The Pakistan Meteorological Department has predicted more heavy showers over the upper catchments of the Sutlej, Beas and Ravi rivers on September 2–3, which could raise flood levels even further.
Punjab PDMA Director General Irfan Ali Kathia also said that Mandi Bahauddin and Gujrat received 80 millimeters of rainfall, which has hampered relief operations in the region.
He informed that at Ganda Singh, water flow had reached 303,000 cusecs, prompting the Pakistan Army and district administration to evacuate 20 villages overnight to ensure safety of the population. Providing further details, he said that that at Head Sulaimanki, the flow has exceeded 100,000 cusecs, and a potentially dangerous situation could develop at Head Islam within the next 24 hours. At Head Marala, the discharge has risen to 175,000 cusecs, while a reduction has been recorded at Qadirabad Bridge. He added that Rewas Bridge was deliberately breached yesterday as part of the Punjab government’s flood management strategy.
The DG PDMA warned that at Trimmu Headworks, a flow of around 900,000 cusecs is expected to pass through Jhang between 6am and 9am on Sunday (today), creating a highly critical situation.
He further said that the River Ravi had already experienced a discharge of 220,000 cusecs, while at Head Balloki, 211,000 cusecs were recorded, with an additional 20,000 cusecs from Nankana Sahib. This combined flow, he noted, would culminate in700,000 cusecs at Head Muhammadwala near Multan, where breaching may become necessary to manage the massive water pressure.
‘14 snakebite cases reported in Sialkot’
Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Health Sialkot Dr. Muhammad Aslam Chaudhry has said that14 cases of snake bites have occurred across the district due to floods. He said that all the people were given timely anti-venom vaccination and were safe from harm. While visiting various medical relief camps, he said that most of the cases of snake bites occurred in Pasrur Tehsil, which number is 12, while two cases were reported in Daska Tehsil. He said that 29 fixed medical camps have been set up across the district in the flood-affected areas while five mobile relief camps are also active.
Six killed, several injured in lightning, roof collapse incidents in Lahore
At least six people were killed and six others injured in separate incidents of lightning and roof collapses in Lahore on Saturday.
According to a private news channel and rescue officials, two people lost their lives and two sustained injuries after lightning struck in the Kahna area. The injured were shifted to a nearby hospital for treatment.
In Old Anarkali, one person was killed when the dilapidated roof of a mud house collapsed. Rescue officials said the roof was made of raw soil and TR girders.
In another incident on Bedian Road, three people were killed and four injured when the roof of a house caved in, burying residents under the debris. The injured were shifted to hospital for medical assistance.
Urban flooding
Urban flooding paralyzed parts of Peshawar and Lahore on Saturday as a new spell of monsoon rains battered Pakistan, while the country’s eastern Punjab province continued to grapple with high floods in three raging rivers flowing downstream toward southern Sindh, officials said. In Peshawar, officials said heavy overnight rains triggered flooding in low-lying neighborhoods on Friday, prompting large-scale relief operations, with Rescue 1122 saying about 300 people were evacuated with the help of 280 personnel, rubber boats, water rescue vans and ambulances.
“A comprehensive relief operation is underway across rain-impacted areas of the city,” the emergency service spokesperson Bilal Ahmad Faizi said, adding that efforts were concentrated in Nasir Bagh Road, Warsak Road and Budhni.
Meanwhile in Lahore, torrential rains flooded major roads in places like Johar Town, Wapda Town and Canal Road, causing traffic paralysis and widespread power outages.
Local media showed water inundating wards and emergency units at Jinnah Hospital, while images of the Ravi River overflowing into a private housing society continued to circulate on social media.
Meanwhile, Senior Provincial Minister Marriyum Aurangzeb Saturday called for unity and cooperation, reaffirming the Punjab government’s dedication to mitigating flood damages and ensuring public safety, as the government stands united with the people like one fist.
Talking to a private TV channel, she mentioned that around 300,000 people were being rescued and relocated to relief camps, adding, the authorities are committed to implementing measures to mitigate future flood damages. She appealed to the public to cooperate with the relief efforts and urged everyone to remain patient and vigilant. With collective efforts and timely interventions, she expressed confidence that the authorities can mitigate the effects of flooding and ensure the safety of people and property.
The Chief Minister’s proactive approach has been instrumental in coordinating the response to the crisis, with special emphasis on medical relief activities, she mentioned.
Responding to a query, she stated that while the government would address the damage to livestock and properties after the flood, the immediate priority was to save human lives, adding, the focus is currently on rescue and relief efforts to ensure the safety and well-being of people affected by the disaster.
