SAHIWAL: The monsoon onslaught has left a trail of destruction across Sahiwal and adjoining districts as floodwaters from the Sutlej and Ravi rivers wreak havoc on villages and farmlands. Vast stretches of fertile land have been swallowed by rising waters, devastating crops and putting thousands of lives at risk.
According to the local administration, over 13,000 acres of farmland and 24 villages have already been severely damaged. Key crops — including rice, maize, sesame, fodder, and potatoes — now stand ruined, delivering a crushing blow to the agrarian economy of the region. Officials fear the numbers may climb if the water level continues to surge over the next 24 hours.
Emergency alerts were issued in advance, with mosque loudspeakers urging residents in riverbed areas to evacuate. Rescue teams, comprising 110 personnel and boats, managed to move more than 17,000 people to safety in just 20 hours. Despite the chaos, authorities have confirmed that no loss of life — human or livestock — has been reported so far.
Infrastructure, however, remains a major concern. Several aging embankments have collapsed under the force of the flood, while others are dangerously close to breaking. Locals say urgent reinforcement work is required, but heavy machinery and technical support remain scarce.
The administration has set up 15 relief camps along vulnerable belts to provide shelter, food, and medical assistance to affected families. At Sahiwal Teaching Hospital, all medical staff remain on high alert, with facilities ready for vaccination drives, emergency treatments, and even snake-bite cases common during flood emergencies.
Agricultural experts warn that if water levels do not recede quickly, the region could face a prolonged crisis. Nearly 800 acres in Sahiwal and Chichawatni tehsils have already been rendered unusable, with the risk of 45 more villages and 75,000 residents being affected if the situation worsens.
This disaster follows an earlier wave of destruction earlier this summer, when torrential rains damaged over 25,000 acres of farmland across the Sahiwal Division. The area’s position between the Ravi and Sutlej rivers continues to make it one of the most vulnerable regions during the monsoon season.
Authorities are now calling for an urgent, coordinated response from federal and provincial bodies to provide immediate relief and to design long-term strategies — including the construction of stronger embankments and better drainage systems — to prevent such widespread devastation in the future.
This story has been reported by PakTribune. All rights reserved.