LAHORE: Director General of the Provincial Disaster Management Authority (PDMA) Punjab, Irfan Ali Kathia, has confirmed that 25 districts and 4,155 villages across Punjab have been affected by the recent floods.
Speaking to the media in Lahore, the DG said that since August 26, floods have caused 56 deaths in Punjab due to different incidents. He noted that between 60,000 and 70,000 people are currently staying in relief camps where facilities are being provided. Nearly 500 medical camps have been set up and about 150,000 people have received treatment so far.
Commenting on the river situation, Irfan Ali Kathia said that water levels in all three rivers of Punjab are receding. At Jassar on the River Ravi, the water flow today is recorded at 65,000 cusecs. At Trimmu, the flow is 543,000 cusecs and is expected to rise close to 600,000 cusecs in the coming hours. He said water levels are dropping at Head Muhammadwala but rising rapidly at Head Panjnad.
The DG PDMA said that Rescue 1122 has conducted a total of 25,000 boat trips in the ongoing operation which he described as the largest rescue operation in Punjab’s history.
Kathia also pointed out that heavy rainfall was recorded in some areas. In Gujrat, the downpour caused severe urban flooding. He said the situation has now improved and major highways have been cleared. However, he acknowledged that drainage work remains challenging due to the intensity of rainfall in the district.
