Islamabad: Residents of Pakistan’s border villages in Kasur district are grappling with successive crises as severe monsoon flooding follows months after brief cross-border hostilities with India. The dual pressures of conflict and natural disaster have forced thousands to evacuate their homes, many for the second time this year.

Following intense clashes with India in May, villagers were initially displaced due to security concerns. Now, monsoon rains and overflowing rivers have compounded the situation. Pakistani officials have accused India of releasing large volumes of water without adequate warning, a move that comes amid New Delhi’s suspension of the six-decade-old Indus Waters Treaty, which had facilitated coordinated water management between the two countries.

The Sutlej, Ravi, and Chenab rivers, which flow from India into Pakistan, have reached medium to high flooding levels. Officials warn that these floods are the worst in decades, particularly impacting Pakistan’s Punjab province, the nation’s agricultural hub. Over 167,000 people have been displaced in Punjab alone, with rescue operations ongoing to assist those trapped by rising waters.

Damage to farmland and infrastructure has been extensive, leaving many families struggling with both economic and emotional costs. Farmers report significant crop losses, and entire villages have been submerged. Pakistani authorities have deployed army personnel to assist in relief and rescue operations.

The crisis has highlighted concerns over climate change, the vulnerability of border communities, and the fragile state of Indo-Pak relations. With no immediate resolution in sight, villagers remain uncertain, facing ongoing threats from heavy rains, dam releases, and regional tensions.

The death toll from this monsoon season has risen to 820 across Pakistan, half of which occurred in August, and authorities continue to warn of potential further flooding as waters are released from upstream dams in India.