Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif on Thursday visited flood-affected areas of Punjab, where they were briefed on the devastation caused by rising waters from Ravi, Chenab, and Sutlej rivers.
Before departure, Chairman NDMA Lieutenant General Inam Haider briefed the Prime Minister on the overall flood situation across the country.
During the aerial survey, PM Shehbaz was updated on ongoing rescue and relief efforts, particularly in the hardest-hit districts of Narowal and Gujranwala division.
Read here: Lahore on high alert as rising Ravi floods force evacuations
PM Shehbaz instructed authorities to take “all necessary steps” to prevent further damage and accelerate relief operations.
Both the premier and Punjab CM are set to receive a detailed briefing during their stop in Narowal.
Casualties, displacement in Punjab
According to officials, at least 15 people have lost their lives in Gujranwala division alone — including five in Sialkot, four in Gujrat, three in Narowal, two in Hafizabad, and one in Gujranwala. Three others remain missing.
Authorities reported that:
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More than 150,000 people and 35,000 livestock have been evacuated
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Over 600,000 people affected across Punjab
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769 villages submerged and millions of acres of farmland destroyed
The UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (UNOCHA) noted that monsoon-related deaths this year are nearly three times higher compared to last year.
Kartarpur Gurdwara submerged
In Narowal, floodwaters entered the historic Gurdwara Darbar Sahib Kartarpur, submerging its grounds. Over 150 Sikh pilgrims and staff trapped inside were rescued by emergency teams, supervised by Federal Minister Ahsan Iqbal and provincial minister Ramesh Singh Arora.
The Narowal–Shakargarh road has also been cut off over several kilometers, isolating nearby villages.
Widespread displacement across districts
Floodwaters have spread into multiple districts, including Sheikhupura, Nankana Sahib, Okara, Faisalabad’s Tandlianwala tehsil, and parts of Sahiwal.
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In Nankana Sahib, villages such as Hira, Nawan Kot, and Khizra Abad remain underwater.
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In Okara, Jandran Kalan, a town of 30,000+, has been inundated.
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In Faisalabad, authorities warn that more than 100 settlements in Tandlianwala tehsil may be affected.
The Punjab government has established 263 relief camps and 161 medical camps across the affected districts. Food rations, medical aid, and temporary shelters are being distributed to displaced families, while emergency teams remain on high alert.
