The Punjab government has called in the army to assist with rescue and relief operations in six districts as the region braces for an unprecedented flood emergency. This decision comes in response to heavy rains and India’s release of water from two dams, which has caused rivers to swell dangerously.

Authorities reported that the Sutlej and Ravi rivers have reached alarming levels, prompting urgent evacuations from vulnerable areas. The Provincial Disaster Management Authority (PDMA) indicated that the Chenab and Ravi rivers are experiencing exceptionally high flood conditions, with outflows exceeding 900,000 and 200,000 cubic feet per second, respectively.

In Kasur alone, 72 villages and approximately 45,000 residents have been affected. The army’s deployment is aimed at supporting local administrations and ensuring the safety of citizens. Rescue efforts are already in motion, with over 28,000 people evacuated and numerous relief camps established.

The NDMA has warned that ongoing heavy rainfall could exacerbate the situation, with predictions of further inflows from Indian rivers compounding the crisis. Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif emphasized the need for international support to address the climate crisis, as Pakistan faces severe impacts from extreme weather events.

With nearly 800 lives lost in recent flooding, authorities continue to mobilize resources and personnel in an effort to protect lives and property across the province.