https://arab.news/z2qg7
- NDMA says US committed to supporting Pakistan with logistics, technical expertise and humanitarian aid
- Officials say floodwaters from Punjab are expected to reach southern Sindh by Sept. 8, raising inundation risk
ISLAMABAD/KARACHI: The United States will send six flights carrying relief aid for flood-affected people in Pakistan, the military said in a statement after the arrival of the first consignment on Saturday, as three major rivers flowing from India continued to surge at multiple points with forecasters warning of fresh torrential rains until Sept. 9.
Pakistan’s eastern Punjab province has been battered by devastating floods since late last month, owing to torrential monsoon rains and major water releases by upstream India into the Ravi, Sutlej and Chenab rivers, killing 50 people and bringing the seasonal death toll in the province to 231 since June.
Punjab is also home to half of the country’s 240 million people and accounts for much of its wheat and rice production, creating food security concerns as initial estimates suggest 1.3 million acres of agricultural land have been inundated in the province amid the flooding of the three rivers. Nationwide, the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) said 905 people have been killed in rain and flood-related incidents since the monsoon began on June 26.
Earlier in the day, the US embassy announced in a social media post that an American military aircraft had delivered essential supplies for flood relief at the request of the Pakistani military, adding that its Chargé d’Affaires Natalie Baker extended condolences to the people of Pakistan, whose lives have been uprooted by the widespread, catastrophic flooding.
The Pakistani security forces along with other government departments have been doing rescue and relief work in most areas of the province.
“In response to the ongoing flood situation, the United States of America through Army Central Command (US ARCENT) has extended humanitarian assistance for the flood-affected population of Pakistan,” the military’s media wing, Inter Services Public Relations (ISPR), said in a statement.
“A total of six flights carrying relief consignments are scheduled to arrive in Pakistan, comprising essential items including tents, dewatering pumps and generators,” it added.
The ISPR confirmed the first of the six flights arrived in Pakistan earlier in the day, adding that the relief items were formally handed over to the army.
“The consignments will be moved to Army Flood Relief Camps for onward distribution among the flood-affected people,” it continued.
The NDMA also issued a statement during the day, saying its officials held two consultative sessions with a US Disaster Response Group, indicating the two countries are collaborating on flood relief.
“The discussion ... covered risk financing through contingency funds and insurance for rapid recovery, integrated search and rescue operations using advanced technology and the success of early warning systems, which enabled thousands to self-evacuate during the 2025 floods, reducing casualties,” it said.
“The US is committed to supporting Pakistan’s relief activities ... through logistic support, technical expertise and humanitarian assistance,” the statement added.
RIVERS RISING
Meanwhile, the Flood Forecasting Division reported a continued surge in river flows on Saturday afternoon, with the Chenab carrying 291,558 cusecs at Chiniot and 449,668 cusecs at Trimmu Headworks near Jhang, both classified as high flood.
Further downstream, Panjnad in southern Punjab was flowing at 384,124 cusecs, also rated high.
On the Ravi, flows reached 159,690 cusecs at Balloki Headworks south of Lahore and 97,242 cusecs at Sidhnai in Khanewal, both flagged as very high flood. At Shahdara, near the provincial capital Lahore, 103,160 cusecs were recorded, a high flood level.
The Sutlej remained the most critical, swollen by upstream releases from India. At Ganda Singh Wala near Kasur, 303,828 cusecs were passing through, classified as exceptionally high flood. Downstream levels included 137,232 cusecs at Sulemanki, rated high, and 103,465 cusecs at Islam Headworks, classified as medium flood.
Addressing a news conference, Director General of the Punjab Disaster Management Authority (PDMA) said the surge at Panjnad was expected to peak at around 600,000 cusecs, adding that the flood wave of up to 800,000 cusecs was then projected to move downstream with additional water from the Indus River before reaching the Guddu Barrage in Kashmore district.
The flood water is expected to reach Sindh between Sept. 7 and 8, raising the risk of inundation in low-lying areas.
According to a situation report released Friday by the Sindh administration’s flood monitoring cell, 1,651 villages are likely to be affected and more than 1.6 million people are at risk, with 121,769 already displaced. The province has set up 528 relief camps and 155 medical camps, where over 33,000 patients have been treated. More than 360,000 livestock have also been evacuated.
Sindh Information Minister Sharjeel Memon said evacuations were underway in low-lying areas a day earlier, while Chief Minister Murad Ali Shah instructed officials this week to take proactive steps to protect people and livestock, saying no life should be lost in the floods this year.