Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has ordered urgent measures to minimise losses from flooding in Punjab, directing authorities to ensure timely evacuation, uninterrupted relief efforts, and effective coordination at both provincial and national levels.

PM chairs emergency meeting

Chairing an emergency meeting in Islamabad on Wednesday, PM Shehbaz reviewed the latest flood situation in Punjab, particularly in Lahore, Sialkot, and Gujrat, where heavy rains have raised the risk of urban flooding.

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He instructed elected representatives, government institutions, and local administrations to personally monitor evacuation efforts and ensure safe relocation of residents from flood-affected areas.

Advance warnings helped save lives

Shehbaz Sharif expressed satisfaction over the advance flood warnings issued by the NDMA, noting that early information a day earlier had helped protect lives and property. He emphasised that this system should be strengthened and extended to Sindh, so that prior alerts are given before floodwaters move downstream.

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“The problems caused by floods in any province will be resolved with complete coordination at the national level between local and provincial administrations,” he assured.

Relief and essential supplies

The NDMA briefed the meeting that 5,000 tents had already been provided to Punjab, while other essential goods were being dispatched. The PM directed uninterrupted supply of relief materials and emphasised the need to ensure electricity, road connectivity, and communication restoration in the affected areas.

To support the provincial government, Shehbaz Sharif ordered the minister for communications, minister for power, power secretary, and NHA chairman to reach Lahore immediately and extend practical cooperation.

National coordination to tackle flood challenges

Highlighting the government’s role in recent floods, the premier said the federal government had provided full support to Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and would extend the same cooperation to Punjab and Sindh.

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He stressed that preventive measures must be taken to protect human lives, crops, livestock, and property under an effective strategy, while issues at the district and tehsil levels should be resolved urgently through collaboration with local authorities.

High flood risk in Punjab rivers

The NDMA briefing warned of high-level flooding at Head Marala and Khanki on River Chenab due to heavy water discharge. Pressure was also reported at Jassar and Shahdara in River Ravi and at Ganda Singh Wala and Sulemanki in River Sutlej.

To ensure readiness, the NDMA has positioned 2,000 trucks for the evacuation of affected people.

Punjab Disaster Management Authority (PDMA) Director General Irfan Kathia said around 20,000 to 25,000 people have been evacuated from areas along the Chenab and Ravi rivers due to rising water levels.

Addressing a press conference in Lahore, Kathia said the next spell of monsoon rains is expected to begin tomorrow but will not be as intense as earlier downpours.

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He claimed India had not provided sufficient alerts regarding water releases, forcing Pakistan to rely on data from the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) and satellite monitoring.

The Meteorological Department (PMD) on Wednesday said Sialkot has recorded its highest-ever 24-hour rainfall, breaking a 49-year-old record. According to PMD, the city received 363.5 millimeters of rain over the past 24 hours, surpassing the previous record of 339.7 millimeters set on August 6, 1976.

The department confirmed that the new measurement is the highest daily rainfall ever recorded in Sialkot.

Continuous heavy rainfall and India’s sudden release of massive water flows into rivers have triggered severe flooding across Punjab, forcing the government to deploy the army in six districts, including Lahore, Kasur, Sialkot, Faisalabad, Narowal and Okara.

The Punjab government confirmed urgent deployment of troops after requests from district administrations. Local rescue agencies, police, and civil defence teams are already on the ground, but rising river levels have created a high-risk situation.

Army Aviation support and additional resources will also be made available if needed.

Officials said the flood situation is being monitored round-the-clock, with rescue camps, food supplies and medical stocks prepared to minimize loss of life and property.