Key Points:
- US military aircraft deliver emergency relief supplies to Pakistan via Nur Khan Air Base following devastating floods
- Six Boeing C-17 Globemaster flights scheduled carrying tents, dewatering pumps, generators for flood victims
- Death toll reaches 907 nationwide with 1,044 injured; Punjab province worst hit with 231 casualties
- Over 1.6 million people at risk in Sindh as floodwaters from Punjab expected to arrive by September 8
- Pakistan requests international assistance as 1.3 million acres of agricultural land inundated
Islamabad: Pakistan faces one of its worst flood disasters in recent years as the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) confirms 907 deaths and over 1,044 injuries from ongoing monsoon rains and flooding across the country. The humanitarian crisis has prompted urgent international assistance, with the United States leading relief efforts.
US Military Launches Major Relief Operation
The US Central Command (CENTCOM) has initiated a comprehensive humanitarian mission, delivering essential supplies through military aircraft at Pakistan’s request. Six Boeing C-17A Globemaster flights are scheduled to transport critical relief materials to Nur Khan Air Base in Rawalpindi.
“US military aircraft delivered essential supplies at the request of the Pakistan military in response to the devastating floods,” confirmed the US Embassy in Islamabad, with Chargé d’Affaires Natalie Baker personally overseeing the handover operations.
The relief consignments include:
- Emergency tents for displaced families
- Dewatering pumps for flood management
- Generators for power restoration
- Essential humanitarian supplies
Punjab Province Devastated, Sindh Braces for Impact
Punjab province, home to 120 million people and Pakistan’s agricultural heartland, has borne the brunt of the catastrophe with 223 deaths and 654 injuries. The province has witnessed the flooding of three major rivers – Ravi, Sutlej, and Chenab – causing unprecedented devastation.
Agricultural losses are staggering, with initial estimates suggesting 1.3 million acres of farmland have been submerged, raising serious food security concerns for the nation. This represents a significant portion of Pakistan’s wheat and rice production areas.
Sindh Prepares for Incoming Flood Wave
Sindh province is bracing for the worst as floodwaters from Punjab are expected to arrive between September 7-8. Provincial authorities estimate:
- 1,651 villages likely to be affected
- Over 1.6 million people at risk
- 121,769 people already displaced
- 528 relief camps established
- 360,000 livestock evacuated
Sindh Chief Minister Murad Ali Shah has instructed officials to take proactive measures, emphasizing that “no life should be lost in the floods this year.”
River Levels Reach Critical Heights
The Flood Forecasting Division reports alarming water levels across major river systems:
Chenab River:
- 291,558 cusecs at Chiniot (High Flood)
- 449,668 cusecs at Trimmu Headworks (High Flood)
Sutlej River:
- 303,828 cusecs at Ganda Singh Wala (Exceptionally High Flood)
- 137,232 cusecs at Sulemanki (High Flood)
Ravi River:
- 159,690 cusecs at Balloki Headworks (Very High Flood)
- 103,160 cusecs at Shahdara (High Flood)
Officials predict the Panjnad surge could peak at 600,000 cusecs, with a flood wave of up to 800,000 cusecs moving downstream toward Sindh.
Bilateral Cooperation Framework Established
The National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) has established a collaborative framework with US disaster response experts through two-day consultative sessions. The cooperation focuses on:
- Technology-driven rescue operations
- Early warning systems enhancement
- Risk financing mechanisms
- Contingency fund development
NDMA Chairman Lt General Inam Haider Malik briefed the US delegation on Pakistan’s National Emergencies Operations Centre (NEOC) capabilities and disaster management protocols.
Casualties Across All Provinces
The nationwide death toll breakdown reveals the disaster’s extensive reach:
- Punjab: 223 deaths, 654 injuries
- Khyber Pakhtunkhwa: 502 deaths, 218 injuries
- Sindh: 58 deaths, 78 injuries
- Balochistan: 26 deaths, 5 injuries
- Gilgit-Baltistan: 41 deaths, 52 injuries
- Azad Kashmir: 38 deaths, 31 injuries
- Islamabad: 9 deaths, 3 injuries
Additionally, 7,848 houses have been damaged and 6,180 livestock animals have perished in the calamity.
International Response and Future Preparedness
The US commitment extends beyond immediate relief, with officials confirming “logistic support, technical expertise and humanitarian assistance” for ongoing recovery efforts. The collaboration includes:
- Advanced early warning systems that enabled thousands to evacuate before the 2025 floods
- Integrated search and rescue operations using cutting-edge technology
- Insurance mechanisms for rapid recovery
Weather forecasters warn of continued threats, with fresh torrential rains predicted until September 9, potentially exacerbating the already critical situation.
The disaster highlights Pakistan’s vulnerability to extreme weather events and underscores the importance of international cooperation in addressing humanitarian crises. As rescue operations continue and floodwaters threaten Sindh province, the focus remains on saving lives and providing essential support to millions of affected citizens.
