Pakistan is grappling with one of its most severe flood crises in recent memory, as relentless monsoon rains, surging river flows, and upstream water releases from India have combined to displace nearly 1.8 million people across Punjab by September 6, 2025. The scale of the disaster is staggering: more than 3,900 villages are under water, over 500,000 residents have been forced to abandon their homes in just 24 hours, and the threat of worsening conditions looms with more rain forecast in the coming days, according to reports from Dawn and The Express Tribune.
The crisis has been particularly acute in southern Punjab, where the Ravi, Chenab, and Sutlej rivers have burst their banks, inundating key districts like Muzaffargarh and Multan. Rescue teams, including military units, have deployed boats and drones to reach stranded families, but relief remains scarce in many areas. As of September 6, 2025, more than 9,000 people had been rescued from flood-hit zones in Multan alone, and over 350,000 people, along with 300,000 livestock, had been evacuated to safer locations. Yet, the scale of need far outpaces available resources, with many affected communities reporting inadequate assistance and limited access to food.
The human toll has been devastating. At least five people—including a woman and four children—lost their lives when a rescue boat capsized during an evacuation in Jalalpur Pirwala, with strong water currents blamed for the tragedy. "Our volunteers risked their lives and rescued over 12 individuals from the raging waters," a Rescue 1122 spokesperson told The Express Tribune, underscoring the dangers faced by both victims and rescuers. The Provincial Disaster Management Authority (PDMA) Director General Irfan Ali Kathia responded by directing authorities to ensure the best medical treatment for the injured and stressed, “Private or official rescue boats must not be overloaded under any circumstances.”
Nationwide, the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) reported that, since the monsoon began on June 26, 2025, at least 907 people have died and 1,044 have been injured in rain and flood-related incidents. The province of Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa has suffered the highest number of fatalities, with 502 deaths, followed by Punjab with 223, Sindh with 58, Balochistan with 26, Gilgit-Baltistan with 41, Azad Jammu and Kashmir with 38, and Islamabad with nine. The NDMA also noted the loss of 6,180 livestock and the destruction of 7,848 houses, further compounding the humanitarian crisis.
The floodwaters have not spared Pakistan’s agricultural heartland. Punjab, home to half of the country’s 240 million people and a major producer of wheat and rice, has seen an estimated 1.3 million acres of cropland submerged. This has sparked growing concerns about food security in the months ahead. According to Arab News, the devastation threatens both immediate food supplies and the livelihoods of countless farming families.
In Sindh, the threat is escalating as floodwaters from Punjab are expected to surge southwards, raising the risk of inundation in low-lying areas between September 7 and 8. Sindh’s Senior Minister Sharjeel Inam Memon confirmed that at least 121,769 people had already been evacuated from vulnerable riverine areas as of September 6, with more than 14,495 livestock moved to safety. The province has established 528 relief camps and 155 medical camps, providing treatment to over 33,000 people so far. “Fluctuations in water levels at dams and barrages are being closely monitored, and the provincial government remains fully alert to protect lives and property,” Memon said in a statement shared by the Sindh Information Department.
River monitoring data highlights the scale of the challenge: on September 6, inflows at Guddu barrage reached 360,976 cusecs, with outflows at 325,046 cusecs; Sukkur barrage reported inflows of 329,648 cusecs and outflows of 278,398 cusecs; Kotri barrage saw inflows of 237,922 cusecs and outflows of 215,567 cusecs. Upstream, Trimmu barrage recorded both inflow and outflow at 436,651 cusecs, while Panjnad barrage measured 321,570 cusecs inflow. The Indus River at Kot Mithan in Rajanpur was flowing in high flood, with water discharge reaching 435,000 cusecs.
Meanwhile, the United States has stepped in to bolster relief efforts. On September 6, the first of six scheduled US military flights arrived in Pakistan, delivering essential supplies including tents, dewatering pumps, and generators. “In response to the ongoing flood situation, the United States of America through Army Central Command (US ARCENT) has extended humanitarian assistance for the flood-affected population of Pakistan,” said the military’s Inter Services Public Relations (ISPR) in a statement reported by Arab News. The consignments have been handed over to the Pakistani army for distribution at Army Flood Relief Camps. The NDMA also confirmed ongoing collaboration with a US Disaster Response Group, focusing on risk financing, integrated search and rescue operations using advanced technology, and leveraging early warning systems that enabled thousands to self-evacuate during the 2025 floods, reducing casualties.
Yet, the threat is far from over. The Pakistan Meteorological Department has forecast widespread thunderstorms with heavy to very heavy rains across Sindh from September 7 to 13. The Flood Forecasting Division has warned of exceptionally high flood levels in the Sutlej River at Ganda Singh Wala and the Chenab at Panjnad within 24 hours, while the Indus River at Guddu is likely to attain high flood levels between September 8 and 9. Flash flooding is feared in Dera Ghazi Khan, Rajanpur, the Kirthar Range, and parts of eastern Balochistan, and urban flooding is likely in major Sindh cities between September 7 and 9. The NDMA has urged residents to stay away from trees and weak structures, park vehicles in safe locations, and avoid unnecessary travel, as strong winds and storms could uproot trees and disrupt power supply.
In Multan district, floodwaters have engulfed 138 villages, leaving an estimated 350,000 people homeless. At Shershah Bridge, the Chenab’s inflow stood at 393,300 cusecs, while Panjnad headworks saw inflows rise to 321,721 cusecs. In Muzaffargarh, floodwaters have swept through settlements, destroying houses, crops, and infrastructure. The risk remains acute for Uch Sharif and Bahawalpur, where authorities have opened gates to manage the flow. On the Sutlej, Islam headworks recorded 103,465 cusecs, maintaining medium flood status, while in Vehari, breaches in embankments have submerged villages and farmland. The Irrigation Department has warned of another major flood wave within two days.
Climate experts and officials alike have drawn parallels to the catastrophic floods of 2022, attributing the current crisis to a combination of heavy monsoon rains, Indian dam discharges, and melting glaciers. Despite the scale of devastation, Pakistan has yet to issue a formal international appeal for aid, though the UK has pledged $3.4 million in emergency assistance for Sindh.
For now, the people of Pakistan face an uncertain future, with swollen rivers, battered infrastructure, and the ever-present threat of more rain. Relief operations continue, but the enormity of the disaster means recovery will be a long and arduous road.
