In view of the worsening flood situation in Punjab, the provincial government has requested the federal government to deploy the Pakistan Army to assist the civil administration in rescue and relief operations.
The NDMA in its latest advisory early on Wednesday described the situation as “extreme” and warned that vulnerable areas are already under threat.
The Ravi, swelling rapidly at Jassar, is carrying 170,000 cusecs of water and is projected to surge to 250,000 cusecs by morning — a volume that could overwhelm embankments and inundate nearby settlements.
The Chenab at Marala, always a critical flashpoint during high monsoon flows, could see a staggering 690,000 cusecs, while the Sutlej at Ganda Singh Wala is already heaving with 245,000 cusecs — with more still to come.
The Punjab Home Department has written to the Ministry of Interior seeking immediate deployment of troops in the Lahore, Kasur, Sialkot, Faisalabad, Narowal, and Okara districts.
The request includes the provision of Army Aviation support, machinery, and other resources to help deal with the emergency.
Once approved, the army will work alongside the Provincial Disaster Management Authority (PDMA) and district administrations to carry out relief and rescue efforts in flood-affected areas.
The official request, signed by the Punjab Home Secretary, now awaits federal government approval.
It is pertinent to mention here that the Pak Army troops have also joined hands in flood-hit Swat areas and helped the NDMA to rescue victims.
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has already directed the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) to expedite the rescue operation in the districts of Punjab province affected by the flooding in the Sutlej River.
The prime minister instructed the NDMA chairman to take immediate steps for the evacuation of people stranded in flood-affected areas and to ensure their relocation to safe locations.
He requested the Authority to take protective measures and intensify monitoring, given the flood situation at Ganda Singh Wala on the River Sutlej.
The prime minister also directed the provision of food, medicines, and tents to the affected population, besides instructing the NDMA chairman to maintain close coordination with Punjab’s disaster management authority.
