Torrential Rains Lash India and Pakistan, Raising Fears of Widespread Flooding

Updated by Faith Barbara N Ruhinda at 1832 EAT on Thursday 4 September 2025

Heavy rains have significantly heightened the risk of major flooding across northern India and Pakistan.

In Pakistan’s eastern Punjab province, more than half a million people have been forced to evacuate within the past 24 hours, officials said on Thursday, as rising water levels threaten widespread inundation.

Humanitarian concerns are mounting as local authorities and international aid agencies scramble to respond to the unfolding crisis. In Punjab, temporary shelters have been set up in schools, community centers, and open fields to accommodate the growing number of evacuees. Relief Commissioner Nabeel Javed said efforts are underway to provide food, clean water, and medical assistance, but acknowledged that resources are being stretched thin.

“This is one of the largest displacement events we’ve seen in years,” Javed said. “The priority now is saving lives and preventing disease outbreaks in overcrowded shelters.”

In India, disaster response teams have been deployed across multiple states, including Punjab, Haryana, and Uttar Pradesh, where riverbanks are swelling dangerously. Rescue boats and emergency crews are on standby in flood-prone areas, while authorities are urging residents in vulnerable zones to relocate to higher ground.

The monsoon season, which runs from June to September, routinely brings heavy rains to the region, but climate experts warn that extreme weather events are becoming more frequent and intense due to climate change.

“The scale and speed of flooding this season are alarming,” said Dr. Anjali Verma, a hydrologist at the South Asia Climate Research Institute. “We’re witnessing the consequences of both inadequate infrastructure and worsening climate volatility.”

Forecasts suggest that rains will persist into the weekend, with additional inflows from upstream dams expected to put further pressure on already swollen rivers.

Muzaffargarh is among the worst-affected districts in Punjab, where flooding has inundated more than 3,900 villages after the Ravi, Sutlej, and Chenab rivers burst their banks two weeks ago, according to Punjab Relief Commissioner Nabeel Javed.

The situation has worsened significantly in recent days. Reporting from Multan, Al Jazeera’s Kamal Hyder said water levels have surged dramatically since Wednesday.

“Yesterday, we were at the same location and there was just a couple of feet of water,” Hyder said. “But now villagers are telling us that the same area is under 20 feet of water.”

In the districts of Muzaffargarh, Narowal, and Kasur, authorities have set up tented camps to shelter displaced families as floodwaters continue to rise.

Residents who fled their homes in Muzaffargarh described chaotic scenes as they scrambled to safety following urgent flood alerts. According to reporting by Al Jazeera, many were forced to leave behind their belongings, livestock, and farmland with little time to prepare.

Ghulam Abbas, 54, who fled his village with his family, said the warning came over mosque loudspeakers, announcing that a massive surge of floodwater was imminent and urging residents to evacuate immediately.

“Those who thought the waters wouldn’t reach them are now being rescued by boat,” Abbas said, adding that his home was completely submerged overnight.

Zainab Akhtar, 33, now living in a government-provided tent with her family, said they have received some food supplies from aid organizations and government relief teams. However, she noted that many displaced families are depending heavily on support from relatives.

The scale of the disaster is also becoming increasingly evident in economic terms. Vast swathes of agricultural land — the backbone of Punjab’s economy — are now underwater, threatening this season’s harvest and deepening concerns over food security.

Officials estimate that thousands of acres of crops, including rice, cotton, and sugarcane, have been destroyed. Livestock losses are also mounting, with many farmers unable to evacuate their animals in time.

“For many rural families, losing crops and cattle is like losing their entire livelihood,” said Muhammad Akram, a local agriculture officer in southern Punjab. “Recovery could take months — or even years.”

Critical infrastructure has also taken a hit. Roads, bridges, and irrigation canals in affected districts have been washed away or severely damaged, hampering relief efforts and cutting off remote communities. Power outages have been reported in several flood-hit areas, while access to clean drinking water remains a growing challenge.

Public health experts are warning of a potential rise in waterborne diseases, including cholera and dysentery, especially in overcrowded shelters with limited sanitation facilities.

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