Islamabad: Large swathes of Pakistan are reeling under severe floods as torrential rains and rising river waters threaten Punjab, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK). The situation escalated after water released from India into the Sutlej and Ravi rivers surged downstream, forcing Pakistan’s National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) to issue a high alert.
One of the worst-hit sites is the historic Sri Kartarpur Sahib Gurdwara. By around 3 a.m., floodwaters had inundated its lower section, submerging Angitha Sahib, Mazar Sahib, and Khuh Sahib. Communication with sevadars in the complex has been lost, while rescue and relief teams continue efforts to reach stranded staff.
Authorities said nearly 1.5 lakh residents have already been shifted to safer locations. Local administrations were placed on alert after receiving prior intimation from India about the water release. The outflow from Madhopur Headworks into the Ravi has heightened the risk in central Punjab, while southern Punjab faces submergence due to the rising Sutlej.
The NDMA has warned that further downpours in Himachal Pradesh and Uttarakhand could swell rivers crossing into Pakistan, intensifying the crisis. Continuous monitoring is underway.
According to Pakistani media, the Punjab government has begun large-scale evacuations across Bahawalnagar, Kasur, Okara, Pakpattan, Bahawalpur, and Vehari. Hundreds of riverbank villages have been cleared, and residents have been cautioned to avoid low-lying zones until waters recede.
