Punjab is reeling from its worst flooding in decades, with over 1.5 million people affected across the province and residential areas of Lahore engulfed by floodwaters from the Ravi River.
The Punjab Disaster Management Authority (PDMA) said 2,308 villages have been impacted. Relief Commissioner Nabeel Javed confirmed that 481,000 people have been evacuated to safer areas, while 511 relief camps, 351 medical camps and 321 veterinary camps have been set up. At least 30 people have died, mostly in drowning incidents, with two more killed by lightning in Lahore.
In Lahore, the floods entered Park View City, a private gated housing society near Thokar Niaz Beg, where residents described panic as six blocks were submerged overnight. Hammad, a resident, said:
“On the one hand, the society’s administration was saying they were building a dam to stop the water and that nothing would happen. On the other hand, the police were announcing to leave the house. We didn’t know whether to leave or stay.”
Residents reported water levels reaching up to 13 feet in parts of Park View City, forcing hurried evacuations. Many were unable to salvage their belongings before being displaced. Eyewitnesses confirmed significant property damage, although no lives were lost due to timely evacuations.
BBC reporters visiting the flooded society on Friday said they were initially blocked from filming by private guards before government intervention allowed access. Park View City is owned by Federal Minister Aleem Khan, who visited the site after the disaster. Residents expressed anger that assurances of safety were given hours before the floods overran the society.
The floods also swept through low-income communities such as Theme Park Society in Chohang, underscoring the vulnerability of housing built on the Ravi’s riverbed. The devastation has prompted questions about unchecked construction in high-risk flood zones.
Across Punjab, floodwaters are running dangerously high. On the Chenab River, flows were recorded at 171,000 cusecs at Qadirabad, 170,000 at Khanki, 146,000 at Head Trimmu and 111,000 at Marala. The Ravi recorded 199,000 cusecs at Bloki, 138,000 at Shahdara and 78,000 at Jasar. The Sutlej reached 303,000 cusecs at Ganda Singh Wala and 138,000 at Head Sulaimanki.
Mangla Dam is now 80% full, while Tarbela has reached full capacity. India’s Bhakra Dam is 84% full, adding pressure to downstream flows.
Rescue operations continue amid the ninth spell of the monsoon, with heavy rain expected to last until 2 September. In the past 24 hours, Mandi Bahauddin recorded 81mm rainfall, Hafizabad 63mm, Jhelum 50mm, Sialkot 47mm and Lahore 26mm.
The Punjab government has pledged Rs1 million in compensation for each family of those killed. Relief Commissioner Javed assured citizens and farmers that damages would be addressed.