ISPR Director General Lieutenant General Ahmed Sharif has said that Pakistan Army troops were conducting major rescue operation in Kartarpur using boats, adding that no posts have been vacated in flood-hit areas.
Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) Director General Lieutenant General Ahmed Sharif Chaudhry said on Wednesday that two soldiers lost their lives and two others sustained injuries during flood relief efforts. The ISPR chief stated that around 28,000 people had been rescued so far. He said flood response units had been mobilised in Punjab, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Azad Jammu and Kashmir.
“No post in flood-affected areas has been abandoned,” he added. He said that a major rescue operation was under way in Kartarpur using boats.
He affirmed that the Pakistan Army and the people stood united, saying that no malicious force can drive a wedge between people and Army. He said that the Chief of Army Staff had issued directives to military formations to assist in flood operations.
He said two military men were martyred and two others got injured during rescue operations. In a press conference with Information Minister Atta Tarar and NDMA Chairman Lieutenant General Inam Haider, DG ISPR said, "9,000 people have been rescued from Kasur. Flood units are working in Punjab, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, and Azad Kashmir.
National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) Chairman Lt Gen Inam Haider Malik has said that pressure on the Punjab rivers likely to increase.
Addressing a news conference, Lieutenant General Inamur Rahman stated that Pakistan is currently in the eighth and penultimate spell of rainfall for 2025. He reiterated that heavy precipitation has been recorded in northern Punjab and occupied Kashmir, with over 300 mm of rain around Jammu and 600 mm near Sialkot. Water flow in the Indus River remains normal up to Kalabagh, Chashma, and Taunsa.
He said that rainfall exceeded 300 mm around Jammu, while areas near Sialkot experienced up to 600 mm. The floodwaters have now entered Pakistan’s territory through the Sutlej, Chenab, and Ravi rivers.
The Chenab River at Head Marala peaked at 700,000 cusecs, presently decreasing to approximately 550,000 cusecs due to reduced rainfall in north-eastern areas. Flash floods and cloudbursts in occupied Kashmir have caused significant damage, submerging settlements and damaging infrastructure. Floodwaters from the Chenab, Ravi, and Sutlej rivers have now crossed into Pakistan’s borders, said NDMA chairman.
He said at Head Khanki, a flood discharge of 1 million cusecs is causing increased pressure on Qadirabad in the coming days. Army engineers and PDMA Punjab are considering creating a breach to alleviate this pressure. Water levels between Khanki and Qadirabad are expected to remain constant over the next 24 hours.
The NDMA chief said a flood of 230,000 cusecs currently flows at the Ravi Jesar site, maintaining a pressure of 78,000 cusecs at Shahdara. This pressure is rising at Shahdara and Barki. Further rainfall is anticipated within 12 to 24 hours in Sialkot, Narowal, and Gujranwala, which will increase the strain on the rivers.
He said that additionally, water has been released from Indian dams into the Sutlej, where heavy rainfall has also occurred. A significant flood of 250,000 cusecs is passing through Ganda Singh, comparable to the 250,000 to 300,000 cusecs flood of 2023, during which evacuation programmes were implemented.
The chairman emphasised the need to relocate people to safe areas in the coming days. Approximately 200,000 residents living along the Sutlej have been evacuated with the assistance of the Pakistan Army, PDMA, and other rescue agencies. Priority remains to transfer people to secure locations and provide medical and other facilities until they can safely return. The Army Chief has already issued instructions to military formations.
Federal Minister for Information Atta Tarar said on Wednesday that the NDMA, PDMAs and chief secretaries had been placed on alert to respond to the emergency.
He added that flood victims were receiving tents and other essential items, and that the prime minister had issued specific instructions in a recent meeting regarding the situation.
Tarar stated that the NDMA had briefed local authorities and administrative bodies and confirmed ongoing coordination efforts.
He also warned that water flow toward Qadirabad was expected to increase. “Water discharge from the Sutlej River has risen from Gandhara to Head Khanki,” he added.