Relief Efforts and Successful Rescues Bring Hope Amid Flooding in Karachi and Southern Punjab

Karachi, September 10, 2025 – In a display of swift action and community resilience, rescue operations in flood-hit areas of Karachi have successfully saved numerous lives, with emergency teams pulling families from rising waters in Malir and Lyari rivers. According to Rescue 1122 officials, at least 50 individuals, including 15 children from Lasi Para, 8 from Nasir Basti, and 12 from Shahbaz Goth (among them 9 children), have been safely relocated to higher ground. The Pakistan Army joined forces with Rescue 1122 in Saadi Town, rescuing an additional 10 people, ensuring no lives were lost in these critical interventions.

The Sindh government has proactively responded by breaching the central divider on M9 to channel floodwaters away from residential zones, preventing further inundation in Scheme 33 and surrounding areas. This strategic move, announced by the Sindh Chief Minister’s spokesperson, has already begun diverting water from the overflowing Thado Dam spillway, protecting thousands of homes from worse damage. Officials report that urban populations remain largely secure, with water levels in encroaching rivers expected to recede as it flows toward the sea, thanks to the natural drainage from filled dams.

Southern Punjab: Evacuations Underway, Relief Camps Mobilized for Safer Days Ahead

In Multan and surrounding districts, Provincial Disaster Management Authority (PDMA) Director General Irfan Ali Kathia highlighted positive progress in flood management during a Geo Pakistan broadcast. Over 175 rescue boats are actively operating in Jhalapur Jattan, where teams are working around the clock to evacuate residents from vulnerable spots along the Ravi, Chenab, and Sutlej rivers. Despite challenges from recent breaches, all machinery is deployed to seal gaps, and the Pakistan Army’s week-long presence has bolstered efforts, ensuring a coordinated response.

Encouragingly, water levels are steadily dropping in key areas like Narowal, Sheikhupura, Lahore, Nankana, Sialkot, Gujranwala, Wazirabad, Hafizabad, and Chiniot, allowing people to return home from relief camps. DG PDMA noted that inflows from India into the Ravi and Sutlej have halted, reducing upstream pressure and aiding faster drainage. With Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz scheduled to visit Jhalapur today, additional resources are en route to support the next three days in southern Punjab, including Muzaffargarh, Layyah, and Rahim Yar Khan. Relief camps are fully stocked, and community volunteers are aiding in distributions, fostering a sense of solidarity as the region prepares for clearer skies and recovery.