600,000 people, over 400,000 livestock evacuated: Maryam Nawaz

LAHORE: Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz said on Saturday that all institutions have been at the forefront in assisting flood victims, adding that the entire team performed commendably during the crisis.

She said the province was facing such severe flooding after several decades, triggered when India opened the spillways of its dams, worsening the situation.

Despite the challenges, timely evacuation saved countless lives, with commissioners and deputy commissioners playing a vital role, she said.

Maryam said that so far, 600,000 people and over 400,000 livestock have been evacuated and shifted to safe locations, while relief operations in flood-hit districts including Multan, Okara, Toba Tek Singh and Sahiwal are under way round the clock.

She directed officials that evacuations in at-risk areas be completed without delay and stressed that no negligence would be allowed in relief efforts.

She further instructed that flood victims be moved to schools and provided with clean drinking water, food, medicines, and shelter, while arrangements for livestock fodder and water must also be ensured.

The chief minister lauded the role of the Pakistan Army in the rescue efforts, saying troops actively helped move residents to safe places. “No affected person should feel abandoned; every needy family must receive timely assistance,” she added.

On the other hand, the Sindh government has stepped up preparations as floodwater is expected to reach Guddu Barrage on September 3, raising concerns over possible flooding across several districts.

Sindh Chief Secretary Asif Haider Shah visited the Provincial Flood Control Room in Karachi, where he was briefed on the latest flood situation by the control room in-charge.

Officials informed him that the water flow at Guddu Barrage upstream has reached 389,298 cusecs, while downstream it stands at 356,942 cusecs.

At Sukkur Barrage, the upstream flow is currently 315,272 cusecs, with a downstream flow of 260,512 cusecs. Similarly, Kotri Barrage has recorded 262,668 cusecs upstream and 230,212 cusecs downstream