Lahore: Southern Punjab, Pakistan, is grappling with a deepening humanitarian crisis as unprecedented flooding in the Sutlej, Ravi, and Chenab rivers submerges hundreds of villages, displacing thousands of families. Despite early warnings from the Provincial Disaster Management Authority (PDMA), on-the-ground response has been widely criticized as slow and inadequate, leaving many stranded without basic necessities, according to Dawn.
In the Multan division alone, more than 529,000 people have been evacuated, including over 350,000 from Multan district. Mass evacuations were also reported in Khanewal, Vehari, Lodhran, and Muzaffargarh. Authorities initially set up 25 relief camps, later expanding to 90, but many flood victims report receiving minimal assistance. At Head Muhammadwala, over 250 families are sheltering in makeshift camps, with some surviving days under open skies without food, clean water, or sanitation.
Residents were forced to flee without belongings, many of which were destroyed or looted. Claims by officials about food and fodder distribution have been disputed; some said they received rice only twice in two days and no fodder for livestock. At one Basic Health Unit (BHU), two washrooms reportedly serve over 2,000 people, and children are falling ill from contaminated water.
In Shujaabad and Jalalpur, residents accused police and local authorities of coercion to vacate homes, with one man claiming he was threatened with arson. Relief camps lack electricity and are infested with mosquitoes, worsening conditions for displaced families.
Commissioner Amir Kareem Khan visited flood-hit areas to review relief efforts, but damage continues to mount. Breaches in major roads in Burewala and Sahoka have isolated villages, forcing residents to rely on makeshift boats.
Agricultural losses are significant, with thousands of acres of rice, cotton, and maize destroyed. In Kamalia, over 80 villages are submerged, prompting the evacuation of 60,000 people. Rescue teams have relocated livestock and provided limited medical aid. As floodwaters rise, affected communities are urgently appealing for coordinated relief to prevent further suffering.
