Floodwaters Recede in Multan, Evacuations Continue Nearby

Floodwaters have begun to recede in the major town of Multan, located in eastern Punjab province, providing relief to its approximately 700,000 residents. As of Friday, Pakistani officials reported that the waters around Jalalpur Pirwala, which had reached dangerous levels, are now falling and are expected to decrease significantly within the next 48 hours. Despite this positive development, nearby towns like Shujaabad and Liaquatpur face rising waters that have inundated surrounding villages, prompting urgent evacuations.

The Disaster Management Authority indicated that the flooding has already displaced tens of thousands of people. Many residents fled Jalalpur Pirwala when authorities warned of imminent threats from the Sutlej and Chenab rivers. Since last month, flooding triggered by heavy rainfall and the release of water from dams in India has devastated over 4,000 villages, affected more than 4.5 million individuals, and resulted in nearly 100 deaths across Punjab.

Mazhar Hussain, a spokesperson for the Disaster Management Authority, expressed hope that the floodwaters would subside further, allowing displaced individuals to return home. He noted that the deluges are now moving toward southern Sindh province, which experienced catastrophic flooding in 2022 that claimed 1,739 lives.

In an effort to manage the crisis, Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif has dispatched several ministers, including Marriyum Aurangzeb, to oversee rescue and relief operations. On Friday, Sharif visited Liaqatpur, where she commended the efforts of rescue teams and mandated that life jackets and life rings be used in all evacuation efforts. This directive follows the tragic overturning of two evacuation boats earlier in the week, which resulted in the deaths of 18 people.

Residents have expressed gratitude for the assistance provided, noting that Aurangzeb has been instrumental in ensuring a steady supply of food, medicine, and essential items to those affected. However, many displaced families are urging the government to allow them to keep their tents once the waters recede, as they will need temporary shelter while repairing or rebuilding their homes.

“I never thought the water would inundate my village,” said Naseem Mai, a 50-year-old resident who fled with her children as the water reached their rooftops. “We escaped with only the clothes we were wearing.” Displaced individuals have reported shortages of clothing and basic supplies, with some women resorting to washing and reusing the only garments they possess.

In the initial days of the flooding, survivors claimed that private boat owners charged exorbitant fees for transport, even demanding payment for infants. In response, Aurangzeb assured residents in Jalalpur Pirwala that the government has deployed additional boats to ensure that no one remains stranded. “We will ensure that we rescue each and every person,” she stated.

Since late June, flooding has killed more than 950 individuals across Pakistan, underscoring the ongoing challenges faced by the nation in managing climate-related disasters.