Punjab province is grappling with its most devastating floods in four decades, leaving over 1.46 million people affected and claiming 17 lives. Torrential monsoon rains, exacerbated by the release of excess water from Indian dams, have caused the Sutlej, Ravi, and Chenab rivers to swell to exceptionally high levels. Over 1,400 villages are inundated, and vital grain crops have been submerged.

The Punjab government has initiated a massive evacuation operation, relocating over 265,000 people. Thousands are housed in relief camps, and tens of thousands more have received medical aid and transportation to safety. The Chenab River is particularly concerning, with authorities warning of potentially catastrophic water levels in the coming days.

The flooding has impacted numerous districts, including Jhang, Shorkot, Khanewal, Multan, Muzaffargarh, Shujaabad, Jalalpur Pirwala, and Alipur. The scale of the damage is significant, with hundreds of villages submerged and thousands of animals displaced. The government is conducting surveys to assess livestock losses and will provide compensation to affected individuals, excluding those with illegally constructed structures in high-risk areas.

The crisis has also disrupted transportation, with Sialkot International Airport temporarily suspending operations due to floodwaters. Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif have conducted aerial surveys of the affected regions. International support has been offered, with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan pledging assistance. The situation remains critical, with ongoing efforts focused on rescue, relief, and the prevention of further devastation.