Across 22 villages in Punjab's Multan district, floodwaters from the River Chenab have risen three to four feet high, submerging homes, crops, and roads. Thousands of residents have fled with their livestock as the water encroaches on some of the region's most fertile land. Yet the district administration insists the situation is under control—no formal evacuation has been ordered, and water levels are already receding. Main Developments According to the district administration's latest flood situation report, 22 mouzas—the local term for villages—have been partially inundated. Four are in Multan Saddar tehsil, seven in Shujaabad, and eleven in Jalalpur Pirwala. The affected villages in Multan Saddar include Abu Hatta, Vellan, Dhello, and Zaman Pur. In Shujaabad, the flood has hit Soman, Pounta, Tahir Pur, Marha, Agar Khawani, Dhundoon, and Wanis. Jalalpur Pirwala accounts for the largest share, with Ripri, Manik Wali, Jung Wala, Narol, Wacha Sandila, Shahpur Lamma, Bait Kaitch Janubi, Shehni Shumali, Shehni Janubi, and Bait Qaiser among those affected. Civil society activist Majid Zahoor told Dawn that two union councils in Tehsil Jalalpur—Bait Kaitch and UC Sheeni—are fully submerged. He added that all locally built zamindara bunds, small embankments farmers construct to protect their fields, have been washed away by the water. Cotton, fodder, and other standing crops have suffered substantial losses. Read also: Senate Panel Bans Islamic Banks From Forcing Abayas on Female Staff Multan Deputy Commissioner Dr Faisal Saleem reported that the flood wave in the Chenab has receded to around 110,000 cusecs. He stressed that the district administration would remain on high alert until the river fully returns to normal. Residents along the Chenab belt have been advised to stay vigilant and follow official instructions. The DC urged citizens to rely only on authentic government sources and avoid rumors. Background Multan district contains 545 mouzas in total, of which 138 are classified as flood-prone. The current flooding follows a previous monsoon spell that caused widespread inundation across several areas of Punjab and resulted in over 100 deaths. That earlier spell has now ended, but a fresh monsoon system brought rain to Islamabad and parts of Punjab on Wednesday morning. The Provincial Disaster Management Authority (PDMA) reported that a low-level flood continues at Kalabagh and Taunsa on the Indus River, while water flows in all other major rivers remain within normal limits. At Tarbela, inflow stood at 246,000 cusecs and outflow at 242,100 cusecs—both normal. The Chenab River at Marala recorded 92,901 cusecs, and at Trimmu 110,677 cusecs, also within normal ranges. The Jhelum, Ravi, and Sutlej rivers are similarly flowing normally. Why It Matters Even a minor flood in a single river system can displace thousands and destroy livelihoods in an agricultural hub like Multan. The cotton and fodder crops now underwater represent real economic losses for families who depend on each harvest. The fact that 138 villages in the district are already designated flood-prone underscores a recurring vulnerability that a changing monsoon pattern may worsen. The PDMA has warned that forecast rainfall in upper catchment areas could increase flows in eastern rivers and adjoining nullahs, raising the risk of flash floods. Urban flooding is also possible in Lahore, Rawalpindi, Gujranwala, Gujrat, Sialkot, Faisalabad, and Multan itself. Landslides in Murree, Galiyat, and other hilly areas remain a concern. These overlapping hazards show how a single weather system can cascade into multiple crises across different regions. What's Next Flood relief camps have been established in vulnerable areas, where essential facilities and medicines are being provided. The PDMA has urged people living in riverbeds to move to safer locations and avoid unnecessary visits to rivers, canals, and rain-fed streams. The district administration will continue monitoring water levels across all four tehsils of Multan. The fresh monsoon spell is expected to bring more rain in the coming days. Whether the Chenab remains within its banks will depend on how much additional water flows from upstream. For now, the official stance is one of cautious watchfulness—no severe category has been assigned to any mouza, but the risk remains open-ended.