Punjab to Destroy Rawaz Bridge to Protect 2 Major Cities in South

Authorities in Punjab have taken the extraordinary step of deliberately breaching a bridge to protect Jhang and Chiniot as devastating floodwaters continue to engulf villages, destroy crops, and displace thousands of people.

The decision came during a high-level meeting chaired by the Punjab Chief Secretary in Lahore, where officials resolved to blow up the Rawaz Bridge to divert the surging Chenab River away from heavily populated areas. At Trimu Barrage, the water flow was measured at 120,000 cusecs, with another massive wave forecast to reach the area by evening.

In addition, the administration has ordered the evacuation of residents living along river belts in Nankana, Sheikhupura, and Toba Tek Singh, while deploying additional officers to strengthen relief efforts in the most vulnerable districts.

Heavy Losses Across Punjab

The floods, which have already claimed at least 17 lives, have wiped out hundreds of thousands of acres of crops, destroying homes and damaging critical infrastructure. In total, more than 1.4 million people have been affected across Punjab, with 265,000 residents evacuated to safer locations.

In Chiniot, a flood wave carrying 817,000 cusecs submerged low-lying areas along the Chenab, while at Qabula, the Sutlej River overflowed, inundating dozens of villages in Arifwala and devastating cotton, rice, and maize fields.

Meanwhile, at Shahdara near Lahore, authorities reported that the Ravi River’s water level dropped to 220,000 cusecs, a decrease of 9,000 cusecs, bringing some relief after a night of chaos and evacuations.

Human Struggles Amid Disaster

Stories emerging from affected areas highlight the severe human toll. In Wazirabad, receding waters left behind mud, swarms of insects, and the looming threat of disease. Nazia Nasir, a mother of four, said the Army rescued her family, but on returning, they found their house had collapsed. “Everything we owned is in ruins. My children have nothing left—even clothes,” she said.

Elsewhere, Nasima Bibi has been forced to live on a roadside embankment after her village was submerged. “The sun burns my skin, but I cannot leave. I have no other place to go,” she lamented.

Broader Impact and Climate Context

Since June, monsoon-triggered landslides and floods have killed over 800 people across Pakistan. While monsoon rains remain vital for agriculture in South Asia, experts warn that climate change is making rainfall more erratic and destructive.

Pakistani authorities also noted that spillover releases from dams in India have added to the surge of water overwhelming Punjab’s rivers, intensifying the crisis.