Punjab CM Maryam Nawaz orders emergency measures for flood victims

Lahore (Web Desk): Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif, presided over an extensive four-hour session on Wednesday to assess the province-wide flood situation and ongoing rescue and relief operations.

During the high-level meeting, comprehensive reports from the flood-stricken districts were presented to the provincial leadership.

In response to the escalating crisis, the Punjab CM instructed immediate mobilization of all available resources to aid those affected by the floods.

She gave the green light for the deployment of army troops in seven districts, namely Lahore, Kasur, Sialkot, Narowal, Faisalabad, Okara, and Sargodha, to support local administrations in relief efforts.

Officials briefed the meeting that provincial departments are continuously monitoring the developments, maintaining a 24/7 watch on the situation. Rescue 1122, Provincial Disaster Management Authority (PDMA), Civil Defense, Police, and respective district administrations are engaged in frontline operations, providing assistance and evacuating affected populations.

Severe flooding in the Sutlej River has inflicted considerable damage in multiple districts, with Kasur being one of the hardest hit—72 villages submerged and nearly 45,000 people severely impacted.

Other districts also reported substantial damage: 12 villages in Pakpattan, 23 in Vehari, 75 in Bahawalnagar, and 15 in Bahawalpur have faced flooding.

The meeting was informed that relief consignments have been rushed to the impacted areas, including 130 boats, 115 outboard motors, six ambulance motorcycles, 1,300 life jackets, and 245 life rings. So far, over 150,000 individuals and around 35,000 livestock have been relocated to safer zones. Additionally, medical and veterinary relief camps have been established, with over 2,600 individuals currently receiving medical attention.

Maryam Nawaz emphasized the need for hospitals across the province to operate under emergency protocols and assured that the government would take every possible measure to protect lives and extend timely assistance.

The meeting was attended by key provincial figures, including Senior Minister Marriyum Aurangzeb, Information Minister Azma Bukhari, Punjab Chief Secretary, the Inspector General of Police (IGP), and other senior officials.