Islamabad: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has directed authorities to take immediate and comprehensive measures to address the potential urban flooding in Gujrat, Sialkot, and Lahore. He issued these directives while chairing a meeting in Islamabad to review the challenges arising from heavy rainfall in Punjab and the flood situation in the Ravi, Sutlej, and Chenab rivers.
According to Radio Pakistan, the Prime Minister said the National Disaster Management Authority has already provided tents for the affected areas in Punjab. He emphasized that the supply of other essential items must continue without interruption. He further stressed the need to ensure an uninterrupted power supply, restore communication channels, and repair damaged roads in flood-hit regions. The Minister for Communications, Minister for Power, Secretary Power, and Chairman of the National Highway Authority have been instructed to reach Lahore and extend full, practical support to the provincial government.
Shehbaz Sharif underscored that elected representatives and government institutions must ensure timely evacuation, safe relocation, and effective oversight of relief operations in flood-affected areas. He called for proactive measures under a robust strategy to protect human lives, property, crops, and livestock from potential damage.
The Prime Minister also directed that all issues at the district and tehsil levels caused by flooding be resolved urgently in coordination with local and provincial administrations. He acknowledged that the advance warnings issued yesterday by NDMA through media channels played a crucial role in preventing significant loss of life and property. He instructed that the early warning system be further strengthened and implemented more effectively.
Reaffirming the federal government's commitment, Shehbaz Sharif vowed that all flood-related challenges in the provinces would be addressed through coordinated efforts at the national level. He noted that the federal government had extended every possible assistance to Khyber Pakhtunkhwa during recent floods and assured that the same level of support would be provided to Punjab.
The Prime Minister also directed that advance warnings regarding the arrival of floodwaters in Sindh, following their passage through Punjab, must be ensured at all times to avert potential losses. The Chairman NDMA briefed the Prime Minister on the flood situation. It was informed that high-level flooding is expected at Head Marala and Khanki due to increased water discharge in the Chenab River. To facilitate timely evacuation, 2,000 trucks have been mobilized and are on standby for deployment.
The meeting was further updated on heavy water discharge pressure at Jassar and Shahdara on the Ravi River and at Ganda Singh Wala and Sulemanki on the Sutlej River.