The Sutlej River continued to swell on Sunday, maintaining a medium-level flood at Ganda Singh Wala and Sulemanki headworks, where authorities closely monitored the steady rise.
With flows recorded at 95,000 cusecs at Ganda Singh Wala and 82,000 cusecs at Sulemanki, the water was expected to move towards Jalalpur Pirwala within days, posing further threats to already inundated areas of Lodhran, Multan and Bahawalpur.
While the Sutlej remained swollen, flood levels in the Chenab and Ravi rivers were reported as normal, allowing some displaced residents to begin returning to their homes as waters receded.
In Multan and Bahawalpur, the situation was more severe, with floodwaters breaching embankments at Noraja Bhutta and submerging large sections around the Multan-Sukkur Motorway (M5).
The motorway remained closed for a ninth consecutive day after floodwaters damaged six locations. Diversions were implemented by motorway police to redirect traffic via G.T. Road.
Authorities confirmed that four of six lanes were damaged at certain points, though a complete washout was denied. Officials stressed that interchanges still underwater could not be reopened until safety was assured. Repair work on embankments and dykes was underway, alongside emergency infrastructure repairs, while relief operations continued in flood-hit districts.
The disaster has had a massive humanitarian impact. According to the NDMA, more than 3 million people have been rescued in over 5,700 operations since June 26, with Punjab accounting for the largest share. At least 1,006 lives have been lost nationwide, including hundreds of children, while over 1,000 others have been injured.
Floods have destroyed nearly 13,000 homes, killed more than 6,500 livestock, and damaged roads, bridges and gas pipelines. Relief efforts remain ongoing, with camps established to provide medical assistance, shelter, food, and clean water. Despite these measures, widespread displacement, shortages of essentials, and infrastructure collapse continue to intensify the crisis.
