PM issues directives amid rising flood situation in Punjab

ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has issued urgent directives to federal ministers in view of the worsening flood situation in the Chenab, Sutlej, and Ravi rivers.

The Prime Minister ordered ministers to immediately visit the flood-affected areas across Punjab and personally oversee relief operations. He instructed that the evacuation of people residing along riverbanks be expedited and made more effective to ensure their safety.

PM Shehbaz further directed concerned institutions to enhance coordination among themselves in order to accelerate rescue and relief efforts.

Meanwhile, the Prime Minister has ordered the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) and other relevant agencies to remain high alert.

Chairman NDMA has also issued full support from the PDMA and to bring people from dangerous areas to immediate safer places.

In a review meeting on flood situation and relief operations in different areas, Prime Minister Shahbaz Sharif said that Pakistan is among the most affected countries with the transformation, recent rains, flash floods and rivers have caused widespread loss of lives.

Shehbaz Sharif said that the 2022 floods had caused damages worth $30 billion, while the ongoing floods in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa have wiped out entire villages.

He stressed that tackling the impacts of climate change remains a daunting challenge, adding that Pakistan cannot face it alone and requires collective global efforts.