LAHORE – The flood crisis in Punjab, Pakistan, is worsening, with the latest numbers painting a grim picture of the devastation. The number of people affected has now surpassed 2.4 million, and at least 41 people have lost their lives since August 26. The floods have also impacted 3,243 villages, leaving communities shattered.
Speaking in Lahore, Irfan Ali Kathia, the Director General of the Provincial Disaster Management Authority (PDMA) Punjab, stated that rivers across the province remain at high flood levels. To protect cities and towns, authorities are considering making controlled breaches in river embankments at various locations.
Kathia also reported that India has released additional water into the Sutlej River. This new surge is expected to maintain the river’s high flow, complicating the already difficult relief and rescue operations. Ongoing rain in different parts of the province is further hampering these efforts.
In addition to the grim death toll, the floods have now entered Bahawalpur and Bahawalnagar. All traffic has been halted at Head Mohammad Wala due to the dangerously high water levels. A major flood wave is anticipated to reach the Panjnad area by September 5.
In response to the crisis, 395 relief camps have been set up across Punjab to provide shelter and aid to the 2,452,185 people displaced by the disaster.
(Source: BBC, NDMA Pakistan)