ISLAMABAD: Pakistan’s eastern Punjab province on Friday decided to launch a satellite-aided survey to quantify damage from ongoing floods before beginning rehabilitation and compensation for families who lost homes and farmlands.
Punjab, home to about half of Pakistan’s 240 million people and most of its wheat and rice output, has been hit hardest by this year’s monsoon. According to provincial officials, 49 people have died in the current Ravi-Sutlej-Chenab flood spell, while the province’s seasonal death toll since mid-June has reached 183.
Nationwide, flooding and rain-related incidents have killed 884 people since June 26, according to the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA). The authorities warned earlier in the day of new flood peaks on the Chenab and Indus rivers and possible urban flooding in Sindh as the monsoon continues to batter Punjab and threaten millions downstream.
The province’s relief commissioner, Nabeel Javed, presided over a meeting at the Provincial Disaster Management Authority (PDMA) head office to plan the rehabilitation of flood-affected people.
“The survey will cover submerged area, crop losses and a monetary estimate,” he was quoted in a statement circulated after the meeting that brought together officials from the agriculture, irrigation and revenue departments.
“The list of affected areas will be prepared using SUPARCO satellite data,” he said, referring to Pakistan’s space agency.
PDMA has circulated proformas to standardize loss reporting and directed all districts to submit assessments immediately, he added.
“Full financial assistance will be provided to those affected,” Javed said, pledging a transparent, streamlined delivery of aid under the chief minister’s instructions.
Earlier, he also said roughly 3.9 million people have been affected and about 3,900 villages inundated.
Authorities have moved more than 1.8 million residents to safer locations in Punjab and set up 415 relief camps and 466 medical camps across the province.
Another 398 veterinary camps have been established, with 1.3 million animals shifted to higher ground.
Punjab PDMA Director General Irfan Ali Kathia said the civil administration, army and other agencies are on alert and instructed officials to prioritize protection of life and property.
The military said its teams are conducting extensive rescue and relief operations in southern Punjab, including farming districts such as Sahiwal, Khanewal, Muzaffargarh, Toba Tek Singh and Chiniot.
At least 30 relief camps were established in Sahiwal after floods swamped 49 villages along the Ravi.
“Army rescue teams are actively engaged in Talamba, Mian Channu and Abdul Hakeem in Khanewal district, relocating thousands of people and livestock to safety,” the army said, adding that troops have evacuated residents from low-lying localities in Muzaffargarh where floodwaters breached protective structures.
NEW FLOOD WARNINGS, FOOD SECURITY
The Flood Forecasting Division (FFD) reported an “exceptionally high flood” in the Sutlej at Ganda Singh Wala, and “very high” levels at the Ravi (Balloki, Sidhnai) and Chenab (Chiniot).
It said the Sutlej would likely remain at exceptionally high levels at Ganda Singh Wala.
At Panjnad and Trimmu headworks, major barrage points in southern Punjab, the Chenab also remained in the “high” category.
PDMA warned the Chenab at Panjnad was expected to reach “high to very high” within 24 hours, while flash flooding was likely in the hill torrents of DG Khan and Rajanpur from Sept. 7-9.
The Indus at Guddu could also rise to “high to very high” from Sept. 7-8, and authorities cautioned of possible urban flooding in major Sindh cities, including Karachi and Hyderabad, in the same period.
Earlier on Friday, the High Commission of India in Islamabad informed Pakistan of “high flood” levels in the Sutlej at Harike and Ferozepur headworks, according to the Pakistan Commissioner for Indus Waters, warning that excess releases could worsen conditions downstream at Ganda Singh Wala and beyond.
Separately, the Punjab Home Department imposed Section 144 to temporarily bar feed mills from using wheat for 30 days so supplies can be diverted to flour mills for human consumption.
Officials said feed mills hold over 104,000 metric tons of wheat originally intended for poultry feed, a step aimed at ensuring uninterrupted flour supplies as about 1.3 million acres of cropland remain inundated. Hydrological reports show Pakistan’s Tarbela Dam has reached 100 percent of its capacity, while Mangla stands at 87 percent. On the Indian side, Bhakra (84 percent), Pong (98 percent) and Thein (92 percent) dams — all major reservoirs on the Sutlej and Ravi rivers — are also nearly full.
Officials warned that further inflows could aggravate downstream flooding if controlled releases become necessary.
