Punjab calls army for flood rescue in seven districts

Pakistan’s eastern province of Punjab said Wednesday it has requisitioned the army for rescue and relief operations in seven districts after major rivers flowing from India swelled with heavy monsoon rains, prompting flood warnings and heightened monitoring for emergencies.

Heavy monsoon rains have caused severe damage across Pakistan, killing 489 people and injuring 348 since August 15. Khyber Pakhtunkhwa has been the hardest-hit province with 408 deaths, while Sindh has reported 29, Gilgit Baltistan 26, Azad Jammu and Kashmir 21, Balochistan four and Punjab one. Since the start of the season on June 26, a total of 802 people have died and 1088 have been injured nationwide.

Floodwaters in the Sutlej, Chenab and Ravi rivers have forced authorities to evacuate residents from low-lying areas in Punjab. The Punjab Home Ministry has requested the federal government to deploy army units in seven districts, including Lahore, Kasur, Sialkot, Faisalabad, Narowal, Okara and Sargodha, to assist with rescue and relief work. Army Aviation and other resources are also on standby to protect lives and property.

The National Disaster Management Authority has warned of extremely high river flows. At Marala on the Chenab, discharge crossed 900000 cusecs, while Khanki recorded 450000 cusecs and Jassar on the Ravi over 200000 cusecs. Authorities have warned that areas around Shahdara, Park View and Motorway-2 near Lahore could face flooding and urged residents to move to safer places and keep emergency supplies ready.

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has directed federal ministers to personally monitor relief efforts and speed up evacuations in flood-hit areas. The government has approved Rs3 billion in emergency funds for affected families in Gilgit Baltistan. The United Nations has also released $600000 to support relief operations.