Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif visited several flood-affected areas in Punjab on Thursday. He was briefed on the damage caused by rising waters from the Ravi, Chenab, and Sutlej rivers.
Before his visit, the Chairman of the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA), Lieutenant General Inam Haider, gave PM Shehbaz an overview of the country’s flood situation.
During an aerial survey, PM Shehbaz was updated on rescue and relief work in the worst-hit districts of Narowal and Gujranwala. He instructed officials to take all necessary steps to prevent further damage and speed up relief operations.
The Prime Minister and Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz are scheduled to receive detailed briefings in Narowal to better understand the challenges on the ground.
Flood Impact and Casualties
Officials reported that at least 15 people have died in the Gujranwala division due to the floods. This includes five deaths in Sialkot, four in Gujrat, three in Narowal, two in Hafizabad, and one in Gujranwala. Three people remain missing.
More than 150,000 people and 35,000 livestock have been evacuated so far. Over 600,000 people across Punjab are affected. About 769 villages are submerged, and millions of acres of farmland have been damaged.
According to the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (UNOCHA), this year’s monsoon-related deaths are almost three times higher than last year.
In Narowal, floodwaters submerged the historic Gurdwara Darbar Sahib Kartarpur. Emergency teams rescued over 150 trapped Sikh pilgrims and staff safely.
The Narowal–Shakargarh road has also been cut off, isolating nearby villages.
The Punjab government has established 263 relief camps and 161 medical camps. Food, medical aid, and temporary shelter are being provided to displaced families. Rescue teams remain on high alert as floodwaters continue to rise.
PM Shehbaz emphasized the need for coordinated efforts to manage this ongoing crisis and protect vulnerable communities in Punjab.
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