PM commands rapid evacuations while floods have an impact on Sutlej, Ravi and Chenab

Islamabad / Lahore:

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif chaired a meeting on Tuesday to examine the situation of the floods across the country and the ongoing rescue operations. The session focused on the impact of floods in various regions, in particular Punjab, where the rising waters of the Sutlej river caused a generalized disturbance.

“Rescue operations must be accelerated in the districts affected by Punjab floods,” he directed, stressing the urgency of the situation. He also ordered an accelerated evacuation of individuals trapped in affected areas and highlighted the importance of ensuring the supply of food, medicine and tents to those who need it.

Prime Minister Shehbaz asked the President of the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) to maintain close contact with the Punjab Disaster Management for coordinated efforts.

According to a briefing at the meeting, flood warnings for the Sutlej river had been issued in advance, allowing the evacuation of residents of the surrounding regions. Consequently, no victim has been reported in the affected regions of the river so far.

In total, more than 174,000 people have been safely moved to higher land, the rescue operations continuing in the most affected districts. Efforts are also underway in the District of Narowal, where the flood waters of Bund Lahri caused the evacuation of residents.

In Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa, energy restoration efforts are underway in the areas struck by floods, while the national Gilgit-Baltistan road remains overwhelmed on a two-kilometer section, with current recovery efforts.

The meeting also noted serious floods in areas such as Gundasinghwala on the Sutlej river, jraister on the Ravi and Marala river on the Chenab river. In addition, the DEK Nullah region is experiencing intense floods.

Federal ministers for planning, climate change, communications, power, information, religious affairs and senior government officials attended the meeting to discuss in progress rescue operations and flood management strategies.

PDMA issues a flood warning for Chenab, delighted and Sutlej

Meanwhile, the Director General of the Province of Catastrophes Management (PDMA) Punjab, Irfan Ali Kathia, warned against the increase in water levels in key rivers in the province, which raises concerns about potential floods.

In a statement published on Tuesday, Kathia reported that water levels in the Chenab rivers, delighted and skipped regularly, while the Torrents and hill streams also experience floods.

“There is a high risk of flooding in these rivers in the next 48 hours,” said Kathia. He also warned of the possibility of sudden floods in the hill of Dera Ghazi Khan, urging local authorities to remain vigilant.

Rescue commissioner Punjab Nabeel Javed confirmed that the provincial government had installed emergency camps in floods in affected areas, ensuring that they are equipped with essential installations to support displaced and in danger.

On the other hand, the authorities are on alert, with efforts to improve preparation and coordinate allegation operations against floods throughout the province. Floods in these rivers should pose significant challenges to local communities, especially in low areas.

The administration of the Lahore district has also increased a high alert because the water levels in the Ravi river should increase considerably over the next 48 hours, potentially threatening the low areas.

The authorities have asked residents of vulnerable areas to immediately evacuate and move to safer places. The 1122 rescue teams are pending, the emergency and medicine camps being established in the regions likely to be affected by the increase in flood water.

A control room was created at the office of the deputy commissioner to monitor the situation 24 hours a day. The local administration also cleans obstructions in the Ravi river to ensure a smooth water flow and prevent any potential blocking.

“We take all the necessary measures to ensure the security of our citizens,” said the deputy commissioner of Lahore in a press release. He added that the cattle owners were invited to move their animals on a higher land, and all the relevant departments were put on alert from the personnel and the machines available 24 hours a day.

The administration urged the public to ignore rumors and only count on official instructions. In an emergency, residents were invited to contact the control room at 0307-0002345 or to save 1122.

The NDMA emits strong warning precipitation

The National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) has issued a warning for strong precipitation in several Punjab and Azad Jammu- & Cachemire (AJK) districts in the next twelve hours.

The opinion is delivered with a wider alert for possible urban floods and engorgement in low zones, urging residents to remain vigilant. Authorities have warned that strong precipitation can cause streams and floods in vulnerable areas.

In particular, hilly regions are at risk of sudden landslides and floods due to intensified weather conditions. “Citizens must avoid unnecessary trips and stay away from rivers and streams,” advised a spokesperson for the NDMA, urging the public to take the necessary precautions.

The NDMA has recommended to follow the official instructions, which will be broadcast via television, radio, mobile alerts and the NDMA Disaster Alert application. The authorities are on alert, emergency measures being coordinated in the affected districts to mitigate the impact of the planned meteorological system.