At least 33 people have died and more than 2 million have been affected as severe flooding continues to submerge vast areas of Punjab province, a top disaster official said Sunday.
Irfan Ali Kathia, director general of the Provincial Disaster Management Authority, said three major rivers — Sutlej, Ravi, and Chenab — remain at dangerous flood levels, prompting province-wide rescue and relief operations.
“The situation remains critical,” Kathia told reporters. “We are seeing high flood waves in all three major rivers of Punjab.”
Concerns have also grown over India’s alleged non-compliance with the Indus Waters Treaty. Officials claim that New Delhi has failed to fulfill its obligation to provide timely flood warnings, exacerbating the crisis.
Nationwide, floods have killed more than 840 people since late June and caused widespread damage to infrastructure and private property.
Kathia said 2,200 villages are submerged and more than 750,000 people have been evacuated from flood-hit areas. In the Trimmu Barrage region, water levels surged to 361,633 cusecs — an increase of more than 100,000 cusecs in a single day.
“This is one of the largest rescue operations in Punjab’s history,” Kathia said, adding that relief efforts continue with government teams working closely with affected communities.
