Heavy monsoon rains have intensified the risk of severe flooding across Pakistan and northern India, forcing mass evacuations and heightening fears of widespread damage. Officials in Pakistan’s eastern Punjab province confirmed on Thursday that more than half a million people were displaced within the past 24 hours as river levels surged and embankments came under immense pressure.
Authorities warned that swollen rivers, particularly the Sutlej and Ravi, could overflow and inundate nearby villages, farmlands, and major roadways. Rescue teams, supported by the army and provincial disaster management authorities, are working to move families from vulnerable low-lying areas to safer ground. Temporary relief camps have been set up, but many evacuees face shortages of clean water, food, and medical supplies.
In northern India, similar concerns are growing as torrential rains continue to lash Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand, and Punjab states. Landslides and flash floods have already cut off several mountain roads, while overflowing rivers threaten densely populated downstream areas.
Climate experts note that this year’s heavier-than-usual rainfall is part of a growing pattern of extreme weather in South Asia, driven by climate change. Both India and Pakistan, heavily dependent on agriculture, face the dual challenge of protecting human lives and safeguarding crops critical for food security.
Officials are urging residents to remain vigilant and cooperate with evacuation orders as the situation evolves. With forecasts predicting more rain in the coming days, authorities fear that the disaster may worsen before conditions improve.
