PM Shehbaz briefed on flood situation; Narowal sought to be declared calamity-hit

WEB DESK: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Thursday received a detailed briefing from the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) on the prevailing flood situation in Punjab, where heavy monsoon rains have triggered high flows in eastern rivers, particularly the Chenab.

Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz joined the premier during the session, which was attended by senior federal and provincial officials. NDMA Chairman Lt Gen Inam Haider Malik informed the meeting that while western rivers were flowing at normal levels, the eastern rivers were facing flooding due to continuous rains and prolonged monsoon activity this year.

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He said a massive flow of nearly one million cusecs was currently passing through the Chenab, causing inundation in adjoining areas. The situation at Head Ganda Singh Wala was described as critical, though evacuation of affected families was underway. “Rescue and relief operations are in progress and the process of shifting people from flood-hit areas to safer places continues,” he told the prime minister.

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PM Sharif expressed his deep concern over the worsening flood situation across Punjab, noting that Sialkot, Narowal, Swat, Buner and several other regions had been badly affected, while Gilgit-Baltistan had reported fatalities. He said floodwaters were now passing through Punjab’s rivers, damaging homes and crops. Praising the provincial government’s efforts, he remarked: “The Punjab government’s response in this difficult time is commendable, and teamwork has helped reduce losses.” Referring to the 2022 calamity, he stressed that Pakistan must prepare better, adding: “We have to generate our own resources and utilise every option to store water.”

Federal Planning Minister Ahsan Iqbal, who hails from Narowal, urged the government to declare the district as a calamity-hit area, stressing that coordinated and accelerated relief efforts were urgently needed. He thanked both the prime minister and chief minister for visiting flood-affected areas, noting that their presence had boosted the morale of residents.

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PM Sharif called for full mobilisation of federal and provincial resources, emphasising that saving lives and ensuring timely relief remained the government’s top priority. CM Maryam assured the meeting that Punjab’s administration and rescue services were working round the clock to mitigate suffering, adding that special measures were being taken to protect crops and restore damaged infrastructure.

The NDMA warned that monsoon rains were likely to persist in the plains over the coming days, urging local administrations to remain vigilant. Relief officials said medical teams, tents and food supplies had been dispatched to the most vulnerable areas, but acknowledged that access remained difficult in several pockets due to high water levels.