A powerful flood in the Sutlej River has submerged large parts of Punjab after India released a massive flow of water downstream, forcing thousands of people to flee their homes. The flood hit Ganda Singh Wala in Kasur, where the water inflow was recorded at 122,326 cusecs, washing away villages, farmland, and road links.
Dozens of settlements, including Suldera, Rahim Shah, and Gahi Shah, were cut off, while the Chishtian–Sahuka Road also came under water, leaving rural families stranded. Farmers in Bahawalpur and Bahawalnagar districts have been the hardest hit, with cotton, rice, and sesame crops destroyed. Residents could be seen wading through waist-deep water, carrying children and essentials as they evacuated ancestral homes. Livestock losses have further deepened the misery of already struggling families.
Authorities have launched rescue and relief operations, shifting people and cattle to safer places. The Flood Forecasting Division has issued high flood alerts at Head Marala, Khanki, and Qarabad, while the Indus River at Guddu and Sukkur Barrages is also facing moderate flooding. The inflow at Guddu was recorded at 514,800 cusecs and at Sukkur 488,000 cusecs. Tarbela Dam has nearly reached its maximum capacity of 1,550 feet, while Mangla Dam is also close to its limit.
The disaster has reignited tensions between India and Pakistan over water management under the Indus Waters Treaty. New Delhi recently resumed communication with Islamabad after months of silence since the May 2025 conflict. On August 24, India issued a flood alert for the Tawi River at Jammu, marking the first official exchange since the war.
Despite decades of hostilities, the Indus Waters Treaty of 1960 has remained intact, surviving multiple wars and disputes. Officials in Lahore warned the situation could worsen if India releases more water upstream, while rescue teams continue working around the clock to save lives and minimize damage.
