210,000 evacuated so far
Evacuations carried out with help from Pakistan Army, Rangers, Rescue 1122, PDMA: NDMA chairman
LAHORE
As floodwaters swell across Punjab following India’s release of water into eastern rivers, the Pakistan Army has been deployed to assist in large-scale rescue and relief operations, with the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) confirming that more than 210,000 people have been safely evacuated from vulnerable areas, and no casualties reported so far. NDMA Chairman Lieutenant General Inam Haider Malik, addressing a press briefing on Wednesday, said that the evacuations have been carried out through coordinated efforts involving the Pakistan Army, Rangers, Rescue 1122, Provincial Disaster Management Authorities (PDMAs), and other civil agencies.
“All evacuees have been relocated to government-run relief camps where they are receiving food, medical care, and essential supplies,” he stated, adding that these facilities will remain functional until it is safe for families to return home.
Water levels are expected to rise significantly in the coming days, with Panjnad’s flow projected to reach 600,000–700,000 cusecs, prompting heightened monitoring at downstream points including Kotri and Guddu. Continuous evacuation along the Sutlej River is ongoing, with priority given to vulnerable populations as directed by the Chief of Army Staff (COAS) Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir. Authorities said neighbouring India had released water from upstream dams on its side of the border, further increasing the volume of water reaching Pakistan. The Foreign Office said New Delhi had given advanced notice through diplomatic channels ahead of opening the dam spillways.
Kartarpur flooded as dam embankment blown
Authorities blew up an embankment next to a monsoon-engorged dam as flooding submerged one of the world’s holiest Sikh sites.
Authorities carried out a controlled explosion of an embankment at Qadirabad dam on the Chenab River on Wednesday as the water levels rose.
“To save the structure, we have breached the right marginal embankment so that the flow of the water reduces,” said Mazhar Hussain, the spokesperson for Punjab’s disaster management agency.
The Kartarpur temple, where the founder of the Sikh faith Guru Nanak died in 1539, was submerged by floodwater near the border with India.
Five boats were sent to the sprawling site to rescue around 100 people left stranded.
Visuals from the area showed Gurdwara Darbar Sahib in Narowal District completely submerged after the Ravi River overflowed its banks.
The disaster management authority issued emergency alerts and advised those living near the Chenab, Ravi, and Sutlej rivers to “immediately move to safe locations”.
“I urge the public to evacuate the floodplains along the Ravi River, as the water flow is the highest since 1988,” provincial disaster chief Irfan Ali said.
The flood surge “is expected to pass through Lahore tonight and tomorrow morning”, he said of the Punjab capital.
Meanwhile, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif chaired an emergency meeting in Islamabad, where he directed the NDMA to strengthen early warning systems and take immediate action to prevent urban flooding in Lahore, Sialkot, and Gujrat.
