Pakistan: Severe monsoon floods in Punjab have devastated over 1,600 villages, claiming more than 1,000 lives and leaving millions displaced. 

Among the hardest hit are Christian communities in Kasur and Lahore, where homes have been swept away by raging floodwaters. 

Many families are now sheltering in churches or temporary camps, with no food, medicine, or belongings left. 

BACA is urgently appealing for support to provide food hampers and medical aid to these vulnerable Christian families. 

Pakistan is once again in the grip of devastating floods, with severe monsoon rains and swelling rivers affecting over 1.5 million people nationwide. In Punjab alone, more than 1,070 lives have been lost, and at least 1,692 villages have been submerged. Thousands of homes have collapsed or been swept away by the fast-flowing currents, leaving countless families destitute. 

Among those worst affected are Christian communities, many of whom already live in poverty and lack the resources to recover from such disasters. 

Sutlej River Breaches at Kasur 

The Kasur district, in central Punjab, has been one of the hardest hit. This region is the entry point of the Sutlej River, which flows from the Tibetan mountains, through Indian Punjab, and into Pakistan. 

This year, the river swelled to record-breaking levels, reaching 23 feet at Talwar Post, a military checkpoint just one kilometre from Bhikkiwind village. Floodwaters broke into surrounding villages, destroying homes and forcing families to flee to higher ground. 

On 30th August, Provincial Minister Khwaja Suleman Rafique visited the site and admitted the government had been unprepared for such catastrophic levels. He also criticised India for failing to notify Pakistan before releasing water into the river. 

Despite early planning by relief agencies, this year’s floods have been especially cruel, repeating the cycle of devastation seen in previous decades. 

Christian Families in Crisis 

Bhikkiwind village, where BACA previously built a church and helped rebuild homes for Christians after the 2015 floods, has again been badly hit. 

Pastor Alayssab, a church leader in Kasur region, told BACA: 

“Christian families from the village were moved to safer locations, but they could not save their belongings. Everything was swept away in the water. What is left behind cannot be measured without visiting their houses. The water will take at least 10 days to recede before families can return.” 

He added that damaged roads may delay their return for two weeks or longer. 

Families fleeing the floods by boat 

In 2015, continuous rains destroyed mud houses in Bhikkiwind, and BACA stepped in to build stronger brick houses for 10 Christian families. Now, those same families face yet another battle for survival. 

Meanwhile, in Chung Lahore, the overflowing Ravi River has devastated another Christian colony, leaving hundreds of families homeless and sheltering in churches. 

Families seeking safety within the walls of Saint Thomas Church 
BACA’s Response 

BACA has been in contact with local pastors and is monitoring the situation closely. Our team plans to revisit the Christian families in Kasur and Lahore once floodwaters recede and roads reopen. At that time, we will provide food hampers and essential medicines to support them in their recovery. 

“These families have endured unimaginable suffering and loss,” said Juliet Chowdhry, trustee of the British Asian Christian Association. “They are clinging to their faith, but without immediate aid they cannot survive. We must act now to provide them with food, medicine, and the basic necessities they desperately need.” 

BACA brings emergency food and clean water to flood-hit families in temporary shelters