Islamabad: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has directed authorities to expedite relief operations in the flood-affected areas of Punjab. This was stated by Minister for Information and Broadcasting Attaullah Tarar during a briefing in Islamabad today. Director General Inter-Services Public Relations Lieutenant General Ahmed Sharif Chaudhry and Chairman of the National Disaster Management Authority Lieutenant General Inam Haider Malik were also present on the occasion.
According to Radio Pakistan, Attaullah Tarar noted that three rivers in Punjab are currently experiencing flash flooding. He added the NDMA is in full coordination with the Provincial Disaster Management Authority of Punjab to manage the situation effectively. He said water flow has significantly increased at Ganda Singh Wala in the Sutlej River and at Marala in the Chenab River, with further rise expected from Marala toward Head Khanki. He said the water flow at Khanki has exceeded one million cusecs. The flow is also expected to intensify toward Qadirabad, and NDMA has already alerted local authorities and district administrations to initiate evacuation efforts.
The Minister emphasized that NDMA is issuing timely alerts and updates, while also providing tents and other essential supplies to flood victims. He assured that all necessary precautionary measures are being taken, with both the provincial government and NDMA working in close collaboration to address the crisis. Attaullah Tarar added Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif is fully briefed on the situation and has received updates on the weather forecast for the next 24 to 48 hours.
In his briefing, NDMA Chairman Lieutenant General Inam Haider Malik said water flow in the Sindh and Jhelum rivers remains normal. However, the flow at Marala on the Chenab River is currently over half a million cusecs and is gradually receding. He reported an exceptionally high flood at Khanki, with water flow exceeding one million cusecs, increasing pressure at the Qadirabad Headworks. To mitigate this, Army Engineers and Punjab PDMA are planning a controlled breach at Qadirabad.
The Chairman further informed that the River Ravi is experiencing a flood of 200,000 cusecs at Jassar and 78,000 cusecs at Shahdara, with rising pressure at Shahdara and Balloki. Ganda Singh Wala is facing a flood of 250,000 cusecs, Sulemanki 100,000 cusecs, and Head Islam 55,000 cusecs. Regarding rescue efforts, the Chairman told that over 200,000 people have so far been evacuated and relocated to safe areas. NDMA has provided 5,000 tents to PDMA Punjab to support displaced families.
He added that all military formations, under the directives of the Army Chief, are actively participating in relief and rescue operations. The Chairman said Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif is also expected to personally visit the flood-affected areas of Narowal, Sialkot, and Lahore tomorrow. The Chairman concluded by stating that a new spell of rainfall is expected from Friday through the 9th of next month, and NDMA has issued advance alerts to all relevant authorities.
Briefing about the Army's rescue efforts in the prevailing situation, DG ISPR Lieutenant General Ahmed Sharif Chaudhary said, on the special directives of Chief of Army Staff Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir, one Engineers brigade and thirty dedicated infantry, engineering and medical units have been deployed specifically for the flood relief work. He detailed that 29 army medical camps are working in Punjab, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Gilgit Baltistan and Azad Jammu and Kashmir.
The DG ISPR said over 20,788 people have been treated and over 28,000 have been rescued during the flood relief operations so far while 225 tonnes of ration has been distributed mostly in KPK. He said infrastructure has also been restored successfully including repair of bridges and clearing of 104 roads in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Gilgit Baltistan. He said two roads in GB remain to be cleared which will be done in next 24 to 48 hours.
Giving a breakdown of Army relief efforts, the DG ISPR said 6 infantry units, 2 medical camps and 2 engineering units with full equipment have been deployed in Gujranwala while breaching parties are also on the standby at the Marala and Qadirabad headworks. He added about 6,000 people have been evacuated from this area so far in collaboration with civil administration.
The DG ISPR said five Pak Army engineers boats are engaged in a major rescue operation that is underway in Kartarpur Sahib and aviation will also be employed there if weather allows to evacuate stranded people. He said 4 infantry and engineering units have been employed in Kasur and Chunian and over 9,000 people, about 1,900 livestock have been evacuated here. 16 civil and 7 military relief centers have also been established in this area.
The DG ISPR said 4 infantry and 1 engineering units have been standby in Bahawalpur and Bahawalnagar and relief centers have also been established there as a preventive measures. So far over 2,000 people have been evacuated from the flood prone areas.
The DG ISPR said it is pertinent to mention that army is maintaining a strict vigilance at the working boundary and no post has been vacated there. He said all posts are occupied for the defence of the motherland. He said in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, the Army, FC and Law enforcement agencies are fully active in conducting intelligence-based operations against the Khaarjis so these elements may not misuse the difficult situation.
The DG ISPR said the Armed forces of Pakistan stand with the people of Pakistan in every nook and corner of the country be it in war, peace or in times of natural disasters. He said the armed forces are working in complete liaison with the federal and provincial governments and local administrations in this testing time. He said the people and armed forces of Pakistan are an integral whole and no evil force can drive a wedge between us in any way whatsoever.