LAHORE: The Punjab School Education Department has authorized district Deputy Commissioners to decide on school closures or holidays in light of the worsening flood situation.
The move follows reports that many schools are still under floodwater, leaving several campuses unfit for use.
An official notification directed local administrations to evaluate the conditions in their districts and take necessary decisions regarding closures, with schools to reopen once circumstances allow.
Punjab remains gripped by a severe flood emergency as swelling rivers threaten more cities. Kasur and Multan are on high alert, while Balochistan is also preparing for possible flooding in the days ahead.
Heavy inflows from India have pushed the Sutlej and Ravi rivers to critical levels. Authorities confirm that over 1.4 million people have been affected so far, with 28 deaths reported across the province.
Historic Flood in Kasur
For the first time since 1955, Kasur has been hit by a massive flood wave. At the Ganda Singh Wala point, the river flows crossed 303,000 cusecs before easing slightly, though officials warn that safeguarding the city remains a “major challenge.”
PDMA Director General Irfan Ali Kathia explained that a dam breach in India had unleashed enormous volumes of water into Pakistan.
Multan on Alert
A powerful wave from the Chenab River is expected to reach Multan by evening. To reduce pressure, a controlled cut has been made at Head Muhammad Wala, diverting water and protecting the city.
More than 300,000 residents have already moved to safer areas. In Jalalpur Pirwala, about 50,000 cusecs of water from the Sutlej have damaged nearly 140 villages.
Province-Wide Damage
Floods have devastated parts of Rajanpur, Bahawalpur, Faisalabad, and Chishtian. In Chishtian, a broken embankment submerged nearly 50 settlements, displacing hundreds of families.
At Head Balloki, the Ravi River swelled to 199,000 cusecs, while the Sutlej at Suleimanki and Head Islam continues to flow at perilous levels.