Pakistan evacuates 25,000 people from eastern city as rivers threaten flooding

JALALPUR PIRWALA, Pakistan (AP) — Rescuers backed by troops evacuated more than 25,000 people from a city in Pakistan's eastern Punjab province overnight as rising rivers threatened to flood the region, officials said Monday.

The emergency rescue operation in Jalalpur Pirwala began late Sunday and continued through the night, said Irfan Ali Kathia, director-general of the Punjab Disaster Management Authority. By Monday morning, about 25,000 residents from high-risk neighborhoods had been moved to safer areas.

The latest evacuations from Jalalpur Pirwala came two days after a rescue boat capsized in floodwaters on the city’s outskirts, killing five people. Fifteen others were rescued after the boat overturned Saturday, local officials said.

Ghulam Shabir, a 50-year-old construction worker, said that he moved to higher ground near the city after floodwater entered his village, inundating homes and farmland. He appealed to the government to expedite rescue work as many people were still stranded in flooded villages.

The government has deployed hundreds of boats, and thousands of rescuers and volunteers for evacuations in flood-hit districts.

The Pakistan Markazi Muslim League, a volunteer group known for being among the first responders in natural disasters, is among those involved in the efforts, with members spread across the country. The group’s spokesman, Taha Muneeb, said that floodwaters had already submerged all the villages surrounding Jalalpur Pirwala and had begun to seep into the city itself.

“Many residents refuse to leave, saying it is better to remain on their rooftops than to sit helpless on the roadside,” he said.

Survivors told reporters that many people remain stranded on rooftops and trees.

“I saw with my own eyes people perched on branches of trees, half-submerged in floodwaters,” said Taj Din, who was among a dozen evacuees rescued by a boat.

Punjab government spokesperson Uzma Bukhari said that they're utilizing thermal imaging drones to locate stranded people in flooded areas, enabling them to be rescued by boat. She said that “the government is doing its best to handle this situation.”

Though Pakistan hasn't issued any appeal for help, the Saudi government on Monday delivered 10,000 food packages and 10,000 shelter kits to the Punjab government for flood-hit families. The Saudi shipment came just two days after Washington also dispatched emergency supplies for Pakistan’s flood victims.

Floods have so far affected more than 4.1 million people across 4,100 villages in 25 districts of Punjab province. Since Aug. 26, there have been at least 56 flood-related deaths, while more than 2 million residents have been moved to safety, Kathia said.

The disaster management official told The Associated Press that displaced families were being provided with tents and food supplies. He said that the local administration, assisted by troops and police, was expediting evacuations in the city, which has a population of nearly 700,000. Mosques broadcast evacuation announcements as residents scrambled onto vehicles amid heavy rainfall.

Punjab has been conducting one of its largest rescue operations, including with the aid of drones, since last month, when floodwaters inundated multiple districts after India released water from its dams. The surges swelled the Ravi, Chenab and Sutlej rivers, while torrential monsoon rains further raised water levels.

Kathia said that Punjab’s chief minister, Maryam Nawaz Sharif, is personally monitoring the evacuation effort from a central control room. The Pakistani army, police and rescue services are assisting, including helicopter airlifts from remote villages.

Since late June, monsoon flooding has killed more than 900 people across Pakistan, according to the National Disaster Management Authority, or NDMA. Over the weekend, India again notified Islamabad through diplomatic channels of potential cross-border flooding, the agency said.

Kathia said that surging waters have already displaced more than 2 million people across Punjab since Aug. 23, when heavy rains and dam releases began overwhelming rivers. Only about 60,000 of them are living in official relief camps, he said, while most sought shelter with relatives in nearby towns or set up makeshift camps along river embankments, waiting for the waters to recede.

Evacuations are also underway in southern Sindh province, which faces growing threats as water continues to flow downstream into the Indus River and where more than 100,000 people have already been relocated from vulnerable settlements.

Sindh was among the worst-hit regions in the catastrophic 2022 floods, which killed 1,739 people nationwide.

Babar Dogar reported from Lahore. Munir Ahmed contributed to this report from Islamabad.

This story has been corrected to show that the last name of the volunteer group's spokesman is Muneeb, not Munir.

A rescue boat move past villagers pushing a makeshift raft following raising water level in rivers, in Jalalpur Pirwala, in Multan district, Pakistan, Monday, Sept. 8, 2025. (AP Photo/Asim Tanveer)

Rescue workers evacuate villagers from a flooded area following raising water level in rivers, in Jalalpur Pirwala, in Multan district, Pakistan, Monday, Sept. 8, 2025. (AP Photo/Asim Tanveer)

Volunteers help villagers on the higher ground after they are evacuated by rescue workers from a flooded area following raising water level in rivers, in Jalalpur Pirwala, in Multan district, Pakistan, Monday, Sept. 8, 2025. (AP Photo/Asim Tanveer)

Motorcycles move through a flooded road caused by heavy rain in Lahore, Pakistan, Monday, Sept. 8, 2025. (AP Photo/K.M. Chaudary)

People in car drive and a motorcyclist pushes is vehicle through a flooded road caused by heavy rain in Lahore, Pakistan, Monday, Sept. 8, 2025. (AP Photo/K.M. Chaudary)

Villagers wade through a flooded area, in Tiba Gheal village, in Jhang district, Pakistan, Tuesday, Sept. 2, 2025. (AP Photo/Jahan Zeb)

Volunteers evacuate villagers from a flooded area following heavy rains and raising water in rivers, in Muzaffargarh, Pakistan, Thursday, Sept. 4, 2025. (AP Photo/Asim Tanveer)

PHILADELPHIA (AP) — The Eagles need a new offensive coordinator.

Ask most fans, commentators — and, privately, some players — and the change from Kevin Patullo was inevitable long before Philadelphia actually made the move this week in the wake of a playoff loss.

There's a “help wanted” sign for the new boss of an offense — one loaded with elite talent such as Jalen Hurts, Saquon Barkley, A.J. Brown and DeVonta Smith — that fell way short as the Eagles failed in their bid to win consecutive Super Bowl titles.

Coach Nick Sirianni and general manager Howie Roseman were vague on details Thursday about why they waited until the end of the season to make the move — the Eagles ranked 24th in yards per game (311) and 19th in points per game (19.3) — and less clear on what they wanted out of a new coordinator.

“You’re looking to continue to evolve as an offense, and I’m looking to bring in the guy that’s going to best help us do that,” Sirianni said. “I think that there are many different ways to be successful on offense and everybody has different styles, everybody has different players, and there’s many different ways to be successful.”

The Eagles have plenty of credible candidates to choose from — everyone from Josh McCown and Cam Turner to former NFL coaches Brian Daboll, Mike McDaniel and Kliff Kingsbury. The new OC could have complete autonomy to run the offense, though collaboration has been key under Sirianni.

No matter the coordinator, the Eagles expect to be contenders again after playing in two of the last four Super Bowls. Just winning an NFC East title doesn't cut it these days in Philly.

“If it doesn’t end with confetti falling on our heads, I don’t feel like it’s good enough,” Roseman said. “I know that we’re not going to win the Super Bowl every year. I think I know that from a broad perspective, but I believe we can. I go into every offseason thinking we’re going to do whatever it takes to win a Super Bowl.”

Two-time All-Pro offensive tackle Lane Johnson has built a Hall of Fame-level career and won two Super Bowls since the Eagles made him a 2013 first-round pick.

Retirement talk was a hot topic for most of the season.

Johnson turns 36 in May and did not play after Week 11 because of a foot injury. He did not talk to the media this week when the Eagles cleaned out their lockers.

Roseman kept private his conversation with Johnson about retirement. Johnson reworked his contract last May and is signed through 2027.

“You're talking about a Hall of Fame player who’s been a huge, huge part of any of our success that we’ve had, and when you watch him play, he’s still playing at an elite level,” Roseman said.

Brown is likely staying put.

While he isn't shy about airing his grievances, the wide receiver is often worth the distractions because of his production.

Just not this season.

Brown had 78 receptions (down from 106 in 2023) for 1,003 yards (he had 1,496 in 2022) and only five 100-yard games. Of course, some of that dip in production resulted from how he was used in Patullo's offense. The changes ahead are one reason why the Eagles are in no rush to give up on the 28-year star — along with the $43 million dead salary cap hit they'd take if Brown wasn't on the roster.

“It is hard to find great players in the NFL and A.J.’s a great player,” Roseman said. “I think from my perspective, that’s what we’re going out and looking for when we go out here in free agency and in the draft is trying to find great players who love football, and he’s that guy. I think that would be my answer.”

Special teams coach Michael Clay had a virtual interview Thursday for the same job with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

Sirianni also hasn't ruled out Patullo staying on the staff in a different role.

“I know Kevin’s going to have other opportunities, and obviously always want what’s best for Kevin and for his family, so we’ll see how that plays out,” Sirianni said.

Patullo could want a fresh start after his house was egged earlier this season and one area indoor golf establishment let fans hit golf balls into a photo of his face after the playoff loss.

AP NFL: https://apnews.com/hub/nfl

Philadelphia Eagles head coach Nick Sirianni speaks with the media during a news conference at the NFL football team's training facility, Thursday, Jan. 15, 2026, in Philadelphia. (AP Photo/Chris Szagola)

Philadelphia Eagles head coach Nick Sirianni speaks with the media during a news conference at the NFL football team's training facility, Thursday, Jan. 15, 2026, in Philadelphia. (AP Photo/Chris Szagola)

Philadelphia Eagles executive vice president and general manager Howie Roseman, left, looks over as head coach Nick Sirianni, right, speaks with the media during a news conference at the NFL football team's training facility, Thursday, Jan. 15, 2026, in Philadelphia. (AP Photo/Chris Szagola)

Philadelphia Eagles head coach Nick Sirianni, right, and executive vice president and general manager Howie Roseman, left, speaks with the media during a news conference at the NFL football team's training facility, Thursday, Jan. 15, 2026, in Philadelphia. (AP Photo/Chris Szagola)

Philadelphia Eagles head coach Nick Sirianni speaks with the media during a news conference at the NFL football team's training facility, Thursday, Jan. 15, 2026, in Philadelphia. (AP Photo/Chris Szagola)