Prime Minister Directs Accelerated Rescue Operations in Flood-Affected Districts of Punjab

Pakistan's Prime Minister, Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif, convened a review meeting to assess the flood situation and relief operations in the country. The prime minister directed the acceleration of rescue operations in flood-hit districts of Punjab due to rising waters in the River Sutlej. The meeting was attended by senior government officials, including ministers for planning, climate change, communications, power division, information, and broadcasting, and religious affairs. The prime minister emphasized ensuring the provision of food, medicines, and tents to affected populations and instructed the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) to maintain close contact with Punjab's disaster management authority.

Key Takeaways:

• The prime minister directed the acceleration of rescue operations in flood-affected districts of Punjab due to rising waters in the River Sutlej.
• 174,074 people have been relocated to safe locations so far.
• Local populations, near the course of the River Sutlej's flow, were evacuated in advance, resulting in no reported casualties.
• Rescue operations are underway in districts affected by the River Sutlej's flooding.
• Evacuation efforts are being ensured for the local population from the flood-affected Lehri Bund area in Narowal District.
• Power restoration work is in progress in flood-hit areas of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.
• Restoration work on 2 kilometers of the National Highway submerged in flood is being progressed in Gilgit-Baltistan.
• High-level flooding was reported at Ganda Singh Wala and Sulemanki on the River Sutlej, Jassar on the River Ravi, and Marala on the River Chenab.
• Severe flooding was witnessed in Nullah Dek.
• Heavy rains are expected in Lahore, Gujranwala, Gujrat, Rawalpindi divisions, and districts of Azad Kashmir and Gilgit-Baltistan over the next 12 to 24 hours.

Statistics:

• 174,074 people relocated to safe locations.
• River Sutlej's flooding reported at Ganda Singh Wala and Sulemanki (high-level).
• River Ravi's flooding reported at Jassar (high-level).
• River Chenab's flooding reported at Marala (high-level).
• 2 kilometers of the National Highway submerged in flood in Gilgit-Baltistan.

Sources:

• PM Office Media Wing's press release.