Islamabad – The United States has sent emergency flood aid for Pakistan as devastating floods continued to batter Punjab, with officials warning of more torrential rains and rising rivers until September 9.
Two US military planes carrying humanitarian aid landed at Noor Khan Airbase in Rawalpindi on Saturday, where Pakistan Army officers and US Chargé d’Affaires Natalie Baker received them.
A spokesperson from the US Embassy said Baker expressed deep sorrow over the damage caused by the floods and extended sympathy to the affected families.
According to the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR), the flights are part of six consignments dispatched under US Army Central Command (ARCENT). They include tents, dewatering pumps, and generators.
“The first flight arrived today. The US Chargé d’Affaires and Commander US ARCENT attended the reception of the initial consignment and formally handed over the relief goods to the Pakistan Army,” the ISPR said, adding the supplies will be distributed through Army Flood Relief Camps.
The statement noted, “The government and people of Pakistan are thankful to the US Government and Military for standing by the affected population of Pakistan in these testing times.”
Also See: Catastrophic Floods Displace Millions as Punjab Declares Disaster-Affected Status
Baker Visits NDMA Emergency Center
Later in the day, Baker, along with US Central Command’s Disaster Response Group, visited the National Emergency Operations Center (NEOC) of the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA).
The delegation, also joined by US State Department Disaster Expert Ivana Vuko and her team, attended a two-day consultative meeting focused on natural disaster preparedness and climate change.
NDMA Chairman Lt Gen Inam Haider Malik briefed them on the authority’s early warning system, regional cooperation, and joint preparedness strategies. Search and rescue operations, flood warnings, and the use of modern technology were also discussed.
Baker described Pakistan’s disaster management model as exemplary for the region, while the US side assured continued support through relief supplies, technical expertise, and cooperation in mock exercises. Lt Gen Patrick Frank of US ARCENT also praised the NEOC’s role in regional disaster response.
Human Cost Mounts
Punjab, home to half of Pakistan’s 240 million people and much of its wheat and rice production, has been hit hardest. Nearly 50 people have died in the current Ravi-Sutlej-Chenab flood spell that began late last month, raising the provincial death toll to 231 since June.
Nationwide, the NDMA reported 905 fatalities from rain and flood-related incidents since the monsoon began on June 26.
Authorities have breached embankments to protect major cities, while the army continues rescue and relief operations. The Punjab administration also announced a satellite-aided survey to assess losses before launching compensation and rehabilitation schemes.
Rivers Rising
At 9 a.m. on Saturday, the Flood Forecasting Division reported surging river flows:
- Chenab: 380,193 cusecs at Chiniot; 412,992 at Trimmu Headworks near Jhang — both classified as high flood.
- Panjnad (southern Punjab): 321,721 cusecs.
- Ravi: 157,395 cusecs at Balloki Headworks; 101,225 at Sidhnai in Khanewal — both very high flood.
- Sutlej: 311,673 cusecs at Ganda Singh Wala near Kasur (extremely high); 132,916 at Sulemanki further downstream.
Sindh authorities warned a high flood wave would move downstream into the Indus as Panjnad’s level rises.
According to Sindh’s flood monitoring cell, 1,651 villages are at risk, with 1.6 million people affected and 121,769 already displaced. The province has set up 528 relief camps and 155 medical camps, treating over 33,000 patients so far. More than 360,000 livestock have been evacuated.
Sindh Information Minister Sharjeel Memon said evacuations in low-lying areas were underway, while Chief Minister Murad Ali Shah instructed officials to “take proactive steps to protect people and livestock, saying no life should be lost in the floods this year.”
Government Response
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif chaired a review meeting in Islamabad on Friday, directing the climate change ministry to draft within two weeks a comprehensive plan to shield Pakistan from future monsoon damage.
Meanwhile, the Punjab Disaster Management Authority (PDMA) warned of the 10th monsoon spell, predicting heavy rains and flash floods until September 9.
PDMA chief Irfan Ali Kathia said major cities faced the risk of urban flooding, and commissioners across the province had been ordered to remain on high alert, with health, irrigation, public works, local government, and livestock departments told to prepare emergency responses.
