As Punjab faces one of the most destructive floods in its history, authorities have resorted to using dynamite to breach embankments in a desperate effort to shield major urban centers from the raging waters of the Ravi, Chenab, and Sutlej rivers, which are simultaneously in high flood for the first time.
With the Chenab River swelling towards Multan, officials prepared to blow up five protective dykes at Basti Sanki, Basti Duaba, Chak Rohari, Chak Mithon, and Shershah to save the city. So far, 28 deaths have been reported across the province due to flood-related incidents.
The Sutlej River has inundated several districts, including Bahawalnagar, Pakpattan, Arifwala, Qabula, Kamalia, Lodhran, Manawala, Sarai Mughal, and Rojhan. Heavy rainfall in Kasur and adjoining areas has further worsened the situation. Dozens of villages have been cut off, thousands of acres of standing crops destroyed, and at least 10 more villages ordered to evacuate.
Preparations have been finalized to breach the Right Retired Embankment in Kasur. Continuous mosque announcements urged residents to move to safer locations as officials weighed the timing of further breaches.
With a massive 855,000 cusecs expected at Head Trimmu, authorities have already evacuated more than 429,000 residents. Bunds near Athara Hazari in Jhang were demolished to relieve pressure on Head Trimmu, while the Rivaz Bridge flood bund was also destroyed to protect Jhang city. Explosives were planted near Rungpur and Shershah to divert water away from Head Muhammad Wala.
“We had no other option to drain the water,” Relief Commissioner Nabil Javed explained. “Every available resource is being used to safeguard lives and infrastructure.”
The NDMA has issued fresh warnings for the Chenab at Head Marala, sending SMS alerts to residents in high-risk areas, including Marala, Khanki, and Qadirabad headworks.
According to PDMA data, over 1.46 million people in 1,769 villages (mouzas) have been affected, with livestock and crops suffering heavy losses. More than 429,000 people have been relocated, 365 relief camps set up, and 300,000 animals moved to safety.
NHA Chairman Shahryar Sultan and Commissioner Amir Kareem Khan reviewed flood defenses at Head Muhammad Wala and Bund Bosan. Officials warned that a flood surge of up to 800,000 cusecs may reach Multan in the next 48 hours. In case of danger, the Head Muhammad Wala road will be breached to divert water. Deputy Commissioner Waseem Hamid Sindhu said the administration plans to evacuate 300,000 residents from vulnerable riverine areas.
In Kabirwala, rising waters from the Ravi forced residents to begin harvesting crops early to avoid losses. Farmers appealed to the government for a relief package to compensate for damages.
NDMA’s latest advisory confirmed extremely high floods at Balloki on the Ravi (197,170 cusecs) and Ganda Singh Wala on the Sutlej (303,828 cusecs). High flood conditions were also observed at Shahdara (138,600 cusecs) and Suleimanki (138,058 cusecs).
PDMA Director-General Irfan Ali Kathia said that within 48 hours, floodwaters will head towards Head Sulemanki, with 800,000 cusecs expected at Trimmu and nearly one million cusecs projected at Guddu Barrage by September 6.