Some 200,000 people have been evacuated as floods devastate parts of Pakistan's Punjab province. Rescuers carried residents to safety in boats after disaster authorities warned of exceptionally high floods along the Ravi, Sutlej, and Chenab rivers. Several districts called in the army to help. It comes after Pakistani officials said India had warned it would release water from major dams upstream, causing heavy flooding in parts of what is Pakistan's most populous province. Both countries have suffered intense rainfall in recent weeks, with monsoon rains killing more than 800 people in Pakistan since June.
The country's National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) has warned people in affected areas to stay away from rivers, drains, and low-lying zones. Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif stated that the federal government would fully cooperate with regional authorities to avert the risk of flooding, especially in urban areas like Gujarat, Sialkot, and Lahore – Pakistan's second-most populous city. Notably, Sialkot has experienced rain levels in 24 hours exceeding the highest recorded over the past 49 years, resulting in submerged cars, homes, and buildings.
Many of the city's residents are stranded, as reports indicate that rescuers have been going door-to-door in villages, relocating residents and livestock by boat. Over 32,000 individuals have reportedly been saved who were trapped by floodwaters. However, the situation remains critical as many families, particularly those living below the poverty line, grapple with the decision to evacuate or protect their property.
The NDMA's warnings follow a rare public communication from India about the release of water from upstream reservoirs, causing further flooding downstream in Pakistan's Punjab region. Both nations continue to deal with the aftermath of a season of extreme monsoon rains, with ongoing floods creating a humanitarian crisis across the region.
The country's National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) has warned people in affected areas to stay away from rivers, drains, and low-lying zones. Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif stated that the federal government would fully cooperate with regional authorities to avert the risk of flooding, especially in urban areas like Gujarat, Sialkot, and Lahore – Pakistan's second-most populous city. Notably, Sialkot has experienced rain levels in 24 hours exceeding the highest recorded over the past 49 years, resulting in submerged cars, homes, and buildings.
Many of the city's residents are stranded, as reports indicate that rescuers have been going door-to-door in villages, relocating residents and livestock by boat. Over 32,000 individuals have reportedly been saved who were trapped by floodwaters. However, the situation remains critical as many families, particularly those living below the poverty line, grapple with the decision to evacuate or protect their property.
The NDMA's warnings follow a rare public communication from India about the release of water from upstream reservoirs, causing further flooding downstream in Pakistan's Punjab region. Both nations continue to deal with the aftermath of a season of extreme monsoon rains, with ongoing floods creating a humanitarian crisis across the region.
