ISLAMABAD: Pakistan’s Pakistan’s Punjab province is confronting a severe flood emergency that has claimed the lives of at least 802 people nationwide. Authorities have evacuated over 32,500 people from areas along the Chenab, Ravi, and Sutlej rivers.

Heavy monsoon rains and the release of water from Indian dams have caused “exceptionally high” flood levels in multiple river systems.

The crisis has deepened as the Ravi River at Shahdara has now reached an exceptionally high flood level, with outflows recorded at over 185,000 cusecs. This mirrors the situation on the Chenab and Sutlej rivers, where water outflows at Qadirabad and Khanki Headworks exceed 800,000 and 620,000 cusecs, respectively.

The unprecedented situation has placed thousands of citizens at risk, with one official warning that the floods could converge at Panjnad in the coming days, potentially creating a 1 million cusec flow.

The Punjab government has deployed the army in eight districts to assist with rescue and relief operations.

In a tragic development, at least two soldiers have lost their lives during these efforts. The National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) reports that over 1.2 million people have been affected, with nearly 250,000 displaced.

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, accompanied by Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz, conducted an aerial survey of the flood-hit areas and called for strengthening Pakistan’s water storage capacity.

The Chief Minister also vowed to compensate those who have lost their homes, crops, and livestock due to the floods.