Bahawalnagar: A high flood in the Sutlej River has devastated Pakistan’s Bahawalnagar district, submerging hundreds of villages and displacing thousands, according to ARY News.
Chishtian city is among the worst-hit areas as the Sutlej swells to dangerous levels, triggering rapid erosion. Protective embankments at Motianwala Pattan and Moza Azeem have collapsed, flooding over 100 villages and destroying hundreds of homes.
Nearly 10,000 acres of crops have been washed away, while major connecting roads have been swept under water, cutting off access to several localities. Thousands of residents have been displaced and are pleading for urgent relief.
A rescue operation led by the DSP is underway, with officials confirming that more than 80% of the affected population and livestock have been shifted to safer areas.
In Bahawalnagar, water levels continue to rise under Baba Farid Bridge and Bhookan Pattan Bridge. Floodwaters have breached embankments at Chaweka and Bahadurka, inundating nearby villages and destroying vast farmlands. The Chaweka Sutlej Road has also been washed away, isolating surrounding settlements.
Authorities said over 150,000 cusecs of water is currently flowing in from Head Sulemanki, further worsening the crisis.
Earlier, on August 31, the Provincial Disaster Management Authority (PDMA) Punjab issued an “exceptionally high flood” warning for the Chenab River. PDMA Director General Irfan Ali Kathia warned that a massive flood wave is expected to reach Head Marala within two days, raising water levels dangerously.
The warning follows heavy monsoon rains and the release of water from Indian dams, including Thein and Salal, ARY News reported.
