LAHORE: Torrential monsoon rains have unleashed widespread devastation across Punjab, triggering flash floods, infrastructure collapse, and heavy loss of life and property.
The situation remains critical in multiple districts, including Jhelum, Layyah, Choa Saidan Shah, and Bahawalpur, where authorities are struggling to restore normalcy amid rising water levels and continued rainfall.
In Jhelum, flash floods severely damaged infrastructure, with the Dara Bridge submerged and later collapsing at the confluence of two rivers. This critical structure served as the main land route between Pind Dadan Khan and Jhelum, leaving commuters stranded and cutting off road communication entirely.
According to the highway administration, restoration work is underway, but high water levels are hampering efforts. Mechanical equipment is being deployed, and a temporary setup will be installed to resume traffic soon.
Aerial footage showed the extensive destruction in the Dara area, with roads washed away and crops submerged, adding to the financial burden of the already distressed farming community.
The Provincial Disaster Management Authority (PDMA) has issued a high flood alert in Layyah, as the Indus River continues to swell due to ongoing monsoon rains. The inflow at Chashma Barrage has reached 444,000 cusecs, with an outflow of 424,000 cusecs. A massive 425,000 cusec flood wave is expected to pass through Layyah tonight, raising fears of more damage.
Several villages, including Basti Manjotha, Subhewali, and Zangiza, previously flooded just days ago, are now at risk of being submerged again. Crops across hundreds of acres have already been destroyed.
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