Pakistan evacuates 150,000 residents in Punjab ahead of potential flooding following India’s dam water release warning.
LAHORE
Pakistan has evacuated over 150,000 residents from areas along three rivers in Punjab province after receiving a warning from India about the planned release of excess dam water. Officials said the precautionary measures aim to protect communities in the country’s agricultural heartland, which produces a significant portion of Pakistan’s staple crops.
The warning from India concerns the Madhopur Dam and comes amid ongoing monsoon rains that have already caused severe flooding across northwest Pakistan. India shared the alert through diplomatic channels, citing humanitarian concerns, as the Sutlej, Ravi, and Chenab rivers experience medium to high flooding levels. Pakistani authorities emphasized that the controlled release could inundate several villages along river embankments, prompting large-scale evacuations.
Flooding has already claimed hundreds of lives in Pakistan this season, with Gilgit Baltistan and Karachi among the hardest-hit regions. The current threat to Punjab, home to roughly half of Pakistan’s 240 million people, raises concerns over food security due to the province’s fertile lands.
Tensions between the nuclear-armed neighbors are already elevated following a brief conflict in May, and any flood-related damages could worsen diplomatic relations. India suspended a decades-old treaty on Indus river water sharing in response to security concerns, while Pakistan denies involvement in the triggering incident.
Authorities in Pakistan continue to monitor water levels closely, with disaster management teams coordinating evacuations and emergency responses to minimize the impact on lives, property, and agricultural output amid the worsening monsoon crisis.