Pakistan’s Punjab province has been placed on high alert after authorities evacuated more than 19,000 residents from flood-affected areas along the Sutlej River, fearing another destructive wave of monsoon rains. Officials warned that the next 96 hours will be critical, with heavy rainfall expected to worsen flooding across several districts.
According to Rescue 1122 spokesperson Farooq Ahmad, over 19,000 people were relocated from vulnerable areas on Saturday as part of large-scale evacuation drives. The Sutlej River remains the epicenter of the crisis, with floodwaters posing a severe threat to nearby towns and villages. Authorities said emergency teams are working round the clock to move residents to safer zones.
The fresh spell of monsoon rain is also predicted to hit Gilgit-Baltistan (GB), where communities are still recovering from previous disasters. The region, prone to glacial floods, now faces the possibility of flash floods and landslides. Human Rights Commission of Pakistan’s GB coordinator, Israruddin Israr, revealed that a glacial lake outburst in Talidas village (Ghizer district) displaced more than 330 households, leaving over 3,000 people homeless. He noted that this was the second-largest displacement since the 2010 Attabad disaster.
The crisis has not only forced evacuations but also created severe shortages of clean drinking water and irrigation supplies in several flood-hit zones. Local officials and aid workers have appealed for urgent relief support, warning that shortages could worsen if heavy rainfall continues into September.
Thousands Evacuated Ahead of Rain Spell
On Saturday, the Punjab government began large-scale evacuations from settlements along the Sutlej. Rescue 1122 spokesperson Farooq Ahmad confirmed that over 19,000 residents were moved to safer locations across multiple districts as officials prepared for worsening conditions. The next 96 hours are expected to be critical, as heavy rainfall and flash floods are predicted across Punjab and Gilgit-Baltistan.
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Crisis in Gilgit-Baltistan
Gilgit-Baltistan, already struggling with repeated flooding, is bracing for further damage. Survivors in affected areas are facing severe shortages of drinking and irrigation water. Human Rights Commission of Pakistan’s GB coordinator, Israruddin Israr, revealed that a glacial lake outburst flood in Talidas village (Ghizer district) displaced around 3,000 people from 330 households. He noted that this was the second-largest internal displacement since the 2010 Attabad disaster.
UN Warns of Continuing Threat
The United Nations has also raised concerns, warning that the severe weather may persist into early September. The UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs said prolonged heavy rains could trigger more flooding, landslides, and crop losses, adding to the humanitarian strain.
Historical Floods Continue to Haunt Pakistan
Pakistan is no stranger to the devastation of monsoon floods. In 2022, catastrophic floods killed over 1,700 people, displaced millions, and caused nearly USD 40 billion in damages. Each year, from June to September, the country experiences seasonal flooding that often leads to landslides, destruction of infrastructure, and mass displacement, particularly in densely populated and poorly drained areas.
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