The recent Punjab floods have caused significant damage, prompting Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif to call for urgent steps. Speaking in Narowal, he emphasized the need to build more water reservoirs and small dams to address the growing climate crisis.
PM Shehbaz told Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz and other officials that Pakistan suffers heavy losses from extreme weather. “Pakistan is among the countries most affected by climate change,” he said. “Building new water reservoirs is essential to manage floods like these.”
The prime minister recalled the devastating 2022 floods that damaged crops across Sindh and Balochistan. He noted that the current Punjab floods are part of a wider pattern of heavy rains impacting Gilgit-Baltistan and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa as well.
He praised the Punjab government, rescue teams, police, and irrigation department for their efforts in minimizing flood damage. “Teamwork has helped reduce losses, and I congratulate everyone involved,” PM Shehbaz added.
During an aerial survey, NDMA Chairman Lt Gen Inam Haider briefed the prime minister on the flood situation, highlighting critical areas like Narowal and Gujranwala divisions.
Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz said no casualties occurred due to administrative negligence. She confirmed that over 50,000 people were safely evacuated from affected areas. Maryam also warned against illegal construction in flood-prone waterways.
She stressed the importance of infrastructure development. “I have never seen so much water in the Ravi River. Water is a blessing, but we must build dams to store it,” Maryam said.
The chief minister urged institutions to prepare rainwater harvesting and floodwater storage programs. These measures aim to prevent future disasters and protect communities from worsening Punjab floods.
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