Drones Aid Rescuers as Record Floods Force Evacuation of More Than 850,000 in Pakistan’s Punjab
Weeks of heavy rain and dam releases from India have swelled rivers, leaving communities stranded in Jhang, Multan and other low-lying districts
Emergency teams in Pakistan’s most populous province used drones to locate people stranded by severe flooding as authorities expanded rescue operations that have evacuated more than 850,000 residents, officials said Monday.
The Pakistan Meteorological Department warned of continued heavy rain in flood-affected districts of Punjab and elsewhere, after weeks of above-normal rainfall and the release of large volumes of water from dams in neighboring India caused rivers to overflow into low-lying areas. Authorities described the situation in Punjab as the province’s biggest flood on record.
Rescuers backed by the military and emergency services have used boats, helicopters and drones to find and evacuate stranded residents, officials said. Irfan Ali Kathia, director general of the Punjab Disaster Management Authority, said more than 850,000 people have been moved to safer locations since last week and that more than 500,000 farm animals were also relocated to higher ground.
In Multan and Jhang districts, residents were seen wading through water nearly 5 feet (1.5 meters) deep while carrying belongings to roadsides and elevated areas. Many said they waited for rescue teams before attempting to cross flooded areas on their own; others remained trapped on rooftops and in upper floors of homes as waters rose.
Local authorities have established temporary shelters and relief centers, and emergency teams are prioritizing evacuations in areas where currents and depths pose immediate risks. Officials have not yet provided a final count of homes and infrastructure damaged, but preliminary reports indicate widespread inundation of agricultural land and road networks, complicating relief and recovery efforts.
The Pakistan Meteorological Department’s forecast of additional heavy rain has raised concerns about further rises in river levels and the potential for new inundations in downstream communities. Hydrologists and emergency planners are monitoring inflows from upstream reservoirs and releases that can rapidly change conditions along river systems.
Humanitarian organizations and government agencies are coordinating to deliver food, medical supplies and clean water to affected populations, while also assessing needs for shelter, sanitation and longer-term recovery assistance. Officials said the use of drone technology has enhanced search-and-rescue capability by allowing teams to quickly identify stranded people in areas inaccessible to boats or vehicles.
Authorities warned residents to heed evacuation orders and avoid floodwaters, which can conceal hazards and carry strong currents. The unfolding situation highlights the challenges of responding to increasingly intense extreme weather events in densely populated and agriculturally important regions.
Officials said the rescue and relief efforts would continue as weather crews monitor forecasts and assess damage across Punjab and other impacted provinces.