Floodwaters Inundate 22 Villages Across Multan District as Chenab River Swells

LAHORE: Floodwaters from the River Chenab have partially submerged at least 22 villages in Multan district, displacing thousands of residents and damaging standing crops across vast agricultural land, according to the district administration’s latest situation report.

The report, compiled by assistant commissioners and obtained by Dawn, indicates that Multan district comprises 545 villages, of which 138 are designated as flood-prone. Currently, 22 villages are inundated under three to four feet of water — four in Multan Saddar tehsil, seven in Shujaabad, and eleven in Jalalpur Pirwala.

Residents report that rising waters forced mass relocation, with families moving livestock to higher ground. Cotton, fodder, and other crops have been submerged, resulting in significant agricultural losses.

Officials confirm that no village has been classified as severely affected, and no formal evacuation orders have been issued. Water levels are reportedly receding, with authorities maintaining close monitoring across all four tehsils.

In Multan Saddar, the affected villages include Abu Hatta, Vellan, Dhello, and Zaman Pur. Shujaabad’s inundated areas comprise Soman, Pounta, Tahir Pur, Marha, Agar Khawani, Dhundoon, and Wanis. Jalalpur Pirwala bears the brunt with eleven affected villages, including Ripri, Manik Wali, Jung Wala, Narol, Wacha Sandila, Shahpur Lamma, Bait Kaitch Janubi, Shehni Shumali, Shehni Janubi, and Bait Qaiser.

Civil society activist Majid Zahoor stated that two union councils in Jalalpur Pirwala tehsil — Bait Kaitch and UC Sheeni — are underwater. He added that protective embankments built by local landowners to shield crops and homes were breached by the flood surge.

Multan Deputy Commissioner Dr Faisal Saleem noted that the Chenab’s flood wave has receded to approximately 110,000 cusecs, though the administration remains on high alert until the river stabilizes. He characterized the inundation as minor, limited to a few riverine settlements, and urged riverside residents to stay vigilant and heed official guidance.

The DC also appealed to the public to rely solely on verified government sources for updates and avoid spreading rumors.

Separately, the Provincial Disaster Management Authority (PDMA) reported a low-level flood persisting at Kalabagh and Taunsa on the Indus River, while flows in other major rivers remain within normal ranges.

According to the PDMA’s latest river situation report, the Indus at Kalabagh recorded an inflow of 262,219 cusecs and outflow of 253,979 cusecs, while Taunsa registered 310,407 cusecs inflow and 290,407 cusecs outflow — both at low flood level. Tarbela and Chashma dams are operating at normal levels, with inflows of 246,000 and 245,382 cusecs respectively.

The Chenab River continues to flow within normal limits across key barrages: 92,901 cusecs at Marala, 98,403 at Khanki, 89,017 at Qadirabad, 110,677 at Trimmu, and 134,622 at Panjnad. The Jhelum River remains stable at 80,000 cusecs at Mangla and 7,491 at Rasul. The Ravi and Sutlej rivers are also flowing within normal parameters at all major gauging stations.

The PDMA warned that forecast rainfall in upper catchment areas could elevate flows in eastern rivers and adjacent nullahs, increasing flash flood risks. The authority also cautioned about potential urban flooding in Lahore, Rawalpindi, Gujranwala, Gujrat, Sialkot, Faisalabad, and Multan, along with landslide threats in Murree, Galiyat, and other hilly regions.

Officials urged residents in riverbed areas to relocate to safer locations and advised the public to avoid unnecessary visits to rivers, canals, and rain-fed streams. Flood relief camps have been established in vulnerable areas, providing essential facilities and medical supplies.

Fresh Monsoon Spell Brings Rain to Islamabad, Punjab

Parts of Punjab and Islamabad received rainfall on Wednesday morning, signaling the onset of a new monsoon spell just as the previous system — which triggered flooding across Punjab and claimed over 100 lives — concluded.

The Water and Sanitation Agency (WASA) reported at 11:30 a.m. that Tajpura recorded the highest rainfall at 44.8 millimeters, followed by Mughalpura at 44.4 mm, Shadipura at 32.8 mm, and Pani Wala Talab at 31.4 mm. Other areas included Chowk Nakhuda (29 mm), Johar Town (26.8 mm), Mannawan (26 mm), Lakshmi Chowk (22.4 mm), Farrukhabad (16.4 mm), Saggian (7.6 mm), Nishtar Town (6.2 mm), and Upper Mall (5.8 mm). Trace amounts were recorded across several other localities.

The Pakistan Meteorological Department (PMD) confirmed showers between 2 a.m. and 5 a.m. in Sialkot, Jhelum, Rawalpindi, Islamabad, Narowal, Mangla, and Murree. Sialkot city recorded 54 mm during this period, while the remaining cities also received measurable precipitation.

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