Punjab Province in Pakistan Faces Catastrophic Floods: Hundreds of Villages Under Water, Numerous Casualties

The recent heavy rains have unleashed a flood crisis in Pakistan’s Punjab province, leaving hundreds of villages submerged. The resulting devastation has led to 17 fatalities within a 24-hour period. The flooding, primarily affecting the areas surrounding the Sutlej, Ravi, and Chenab rivers, has forced the evacuation of hundreds of thousands of people. Federal Minister Ahsan Iqbal has criticized India for what he views as aggressive water management, alleging that India released water without proper coordination. The Pakistani military has been called in to aid in rescue and relief efforts across several districts, including Lahore, Okara, Faisalabad, Sialkot, Narowal, Kasur, Sargodha, and Hafizabad. The historic Gurdwara Darbar Sahib, part of the Kartarpur Corridor, is also completely submerged.