MULTAN: Severe flooding caused by the Chenab and Sutlej rivers has left dozens of villages inundated, displacing thousands of people and crippling daily life across large parts of Punjab and Sindh.
The floods have also devastated crops and infrastructure, raising fears of a deepening humanitarian crisis.
In Jalalpur Pirwala, floodwaters continue to swamp residential areas, while authorities race to plug a major breach at Noraja Bhatta. The M-5 Motorway remains closed for the 13th consecutive day from Multan to Jhangra Interchange, with restoration work on hold until water levels recede.
In Pakpattan, riverbank erosion along the Sutlej has intensified. The entire village of Soda has been swallowed by the river, and nearly 50 houses in Chak Baqar are now under imminent threat of collapse.
The situation remains precarious further south. The Indus River at Kotri Barrage is flowing at a medium flood level, while rising waters at the Thatta–Sujawal Bridge have submerged over 10 riverine villages. Thousands of acres of standing crops have been washed away, forcing residents to abandon their homes and seek refuge on protective embankments.
In Matiari and Saeedabad, low-lying riverine settlements are also under water. Families are evacuating on makeshift boats, relying largely on self-help. Farmers say extensive crop losses have deepened their economic woes.
In Ahmedpur Sial’s Amirpur locality, stagnant floodwater has begun to generate a foul stench. Residents complain of a mosquito infestation and warn of outbreaks of waterborne diseases, as multiple houses in the area have already collapsed.
In Arifwala, life has ground to a halt. Roads have been washed away, cutting off several flood-hit villages. With transport and communications disrupted, locals are struggling to reconnect with nearby towns and access essential supplies.
Authorities say relief and repair operations are underway, but acknowledge that the scale of devastation remains immense. Residents in the worst-affected areas are calling for urgent government intervention to prevent further loss of life and livelihoods.
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