Thousands Evacuated as 'Exceptionally High' Flooding Devastates Parts of Pakistan's Punjab
Over 200,000 people have been evacuated as catastrophic floods sweep across parts of Punjab province in Pakistan, with authorities reporting inundation levels described as exceptionally high. Rescuers are working tirelessly, utilizing boats to ferry residents to safety, particularly in areas affected by overflowing rivers including the Ravi, Sutlej, and Chenab.
This evacuation comes on the heels of warnings from Indian officials about the intentional release of water from major upstream dams, a situation that officials recognized as likely to exacerbate flooding in what is Pakistan's most populated province. The intense monsoon has already led to more than 800 fatalities in the country since June.
The National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) has urged local residents to steer clear of rivers, drainage systems, and other low-lying areas vulnerable to flooding.
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has emphasized the government's full cooperation with regional authorities to mitigate the flooding risk, especially in vital urban centers like Gujarat, Sialkot, and Lahore, the latter being Pakistan's second-largest city.
In Sialkot, rainfall over the last 24 hours has surpassed records set in the past 49 years. The extraordinary downpours have resulted in the submersion of cars and buildings, leaving many residents trapped, as per the federal planning minister's statements.
Rescue efforts are in full swing, with teams reportedly going door-to-door through villages, relocating residents and their livestock. As many as 32,000 people have been rescued so far, while some villagers have opted to remain behind, fearing the loss of their properties and livestock, despite the imminent danger.
As the situation evolves, both Pakistan and India are dealing with the repercussions of extreme weather events associated with the monsoon, further stressing the urgency for coordinated disaster management responses across borders. Recent events in Indian-administered Kashmir reflect this with landslides claiming numerous lives as infrastructure succumbs to the overwhelming weather.
