- Authorities say over 2.2m acres of crops destroyed in Punjab with rice suffers worst hit
- Sindh CM vows ‘every possible support’ for flood-hit farmers
- PDMA estimates 181,000 people, nearly half a million livestock affected in Sindh
- Punjab flood death toll climbs to 118 as survey of damages in 28 districts begins
- PMD warns of more rains, rivers face renewed inflow threats in Punjab and KP
HYDERABAD/MULTAN/LAHORE: A medium-level flood in the Indus River has wreaked havoc across parts of Sindh and Punjab, breaching embankments, inundating farmland, and inflicting heavy damage on crops—with over 2.2 million acres submerged in Punjab alone.
The rice crop has borne the brunt, with losses estimated at more than 1 million acres of standing production. Cotton, sugarcane, and maize have also been badly affected, with farmers warning of financial ruin. Torrential rains worsened the devastation in Obaro, where cotton harvests worth millions were destroyed.
In Sindh’s Kandiaro and Manjhot, several zamindari embankments collapsed, allowing floodwaters to rapidly engulf villages and farmland. Entire settlements such as Ghulam Nabi Brohi were cut off, with roads washed away and families forced to flee. Residents of more than five villages have begun migrating on their own, while others remain trapped without official evacuation.
According to the Sindh PDMA, at least 181,159 people have been affected, with 528 relief camps and 184 medical camps established. More than 471,000 animals have been moved from vulnerable areas.
سندھ میں ممکنہ سیلاب کے پیشِ نظر پی ڈی ایم اے کی امدادی سرگرمیاں۔@SindhCMHouse @SindhGovt1 @TehsinAbidi @ndmapk #Floods2025 #pdmaSindh pic.twitter.com/o3Tfra2zAU
— PDMA Sindh (@pdmasindhpk) September 17, 2025
The Flood Forecasting Division (FFD) reported that high flood levels persist at Guddu (523,842 cusecs) and Sukkur (518,120 cusecs) barrages, warning the situation will remain critical for the next 36 hours. Kotri Barrage has reached medium flood, with peak levels expected in 7–10 days.
Punjab’s toll rises to 118 since June 25
In Punjab, the Relief Commissioner confirmed that at least 118 people have died in flood-related incidents. Authorities say water levels are receding at most rivers including Sutlej, Jhelum, Ravi, and Chenab, though a medium flood continues at Ganda Singh Wala and a low flood at Sulemanki and Islam headworks.
The Punjab Chief Secretary announced a survey across 28 districts to assess crop and infrastructure losses, while additional tents and rations have been sent to hotspots such as Uch Sharif. The province has reported widespread destruction of rice, sugarcane, corn, and cotton, with farmers in Hafizabad, Sialkot, Narowal, Gujranwala, Gujrat, and Multan demanding tax and irrigation fee waivers.
لاہور17 ستمبر:چیف سیکرٹری پنجاب زاہد اختر زمان کی زیر صدارت سول سیکرٹریٹ میں اجلاس،سیلاب متاثرین کی امداد و بحالی کیلئے تیار کئے گئے پلان کا جائزہ۔سیلاب سے نقصانات کا تخمینہ لگانے کیلئے سروے جلد شروع کرنے کا فیصلہ1/4 pic.twitter.com/yvKDkX7rxL
— Chief Secretary Punjab (@CS_Punjab) September 17, 2025
Government, UN coordinate relief
Sindh Chief Minister Murad Ali Shah pledged to assist farmers “in every possible manner,” endorsing federal plans to seek UN aid. He noted Sukkur Barrage was at peak level but expressed hope of a decline within hours.
At the federal level, Planning Minister Ahsan Iqbal chaired a meeting with NDMA officials, directing an initial loss assessment within 10 days. He warned that climate change was driving more frequent disasters and underlined the need for international support.
Meanwhile, the NDMA said over 5,000 tents had been dispatched to Muzaffargarh. In Sargodha, officials confirmed vaccination of 152,565 animals, with only three reported deaths so far.
Appeals for aid
Acting President Yousaf Raza Gilani urged philanthropists and international donors to step up assistance, particularly for South Punjab. Farmers in Arifwala and Qubula, still waiting for compensation, called on the government to declare disaster areas and waive tubewell bills.
Latest Level of Reservoirs September 17, 2025
Source: WAPDA Authorities#ReservoirUpdate #PakistanDams #TarbelaDam #ManglaDam #KhanpurDam #SimlyDam #RawalDam #PMDUpdate #HeavyRainImpact #Monsoon2025 #DamSafety #HydrologyReport #FloodPreparedness@CDAthecapital @wapda_pr pic.twitter.com/2X8QPWtWJs— Pak Met Department محکمہ موسمیات (@pmdgov) September 17, 2025
The PMD has forecast more rain and thunderstorms in Punjab, KP, and Balochistan through September 19, with potential impact on river catchments and already strained flood-hit regions.
