LAHORE: The Punjab government has decided to start a comprehensive survey to assess flood damage in 28 districts following instructions from Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif.
The decision was taken during a meeting chaired by Punjab Chief Secretary Zahid Akhtar Zaman at the Civil Secretariat. The meeting reviewed ongoing relief and rehabilitation work and assessed the readiness of local administrations for aid distribution, infrastructure restoration, and health services in the affected areas.
Zaman directed the immediate delivery of additional tents and food supplies to flood-hit communities in Uch Sharif. He instructed the Bahawalpur deputy commissioner (DC) to stay in the field and personally supervise the relief operations.
The chief secretary said the survey would cover loss of human lives, damaged houses, crops, and livestock. DCs across the province have been tasked with personally monitoring the survey to ensure transparency and accuracy.
He also stressed the quick drainage of stagnant water, preventing the spread of diseases, improving sanitation, and restoring road links. “As water levels recede, water ponding must be cleared without delay,” he added.
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Punjab Relief Commissioner Nabeel Javed briefed the meeting that over 4,500 villages have been affected. Around 2,000 teams will conduct the survey. He said families displaced in Narowal, Sialkot, Chiniot, Jhang, Okara, Sahiwal, and Sargodha have started returning home.
Senior officials, including the additional chief secretary and finance secretary, attended the meeting. Divisional commissioners and DCs joined through video link.
Sutlej River Flooding Worsens:
Meanwhile, water levels in the Sutlej River continued to rise, flooding low-lying areas of Multan, Bahawalpur, and Lodhran.
Four days ago, a breach at the Noraja Bhutta dyke submerged several union councils of Jalalpur Pirwala, including Noraja Bhutta, Basti Lang, Bahadurpur, Dipal, Sundra, Kanu, Jhando, Beetowali, and Kotla Chakar.
To protect Jalalpur Pirwala city, the administration carried out a controlled breach at Gillani Road, diverting water towards villages and kutcha areas.
Floodwaters have damaged the Multan-Sukkur Motorway (M-5) at five locations and spread into nearby villages, including Phagal Marhi, Hayatpur, Jhanmp, Soiwala, and Muradpur.
In Uch Sharif, floodwaters submerged settlements such as Jhangra and Basti Mir Chakar Rind. The Multan-Uch Sharif Motorway has been closed after severe damage to five locations. The National Highway Authority (NHA) and police are enforcing diversions until the water recedes and repairs are completed.
As water levels dropped in Muzaffargarh’s Alipur tehsil, authorities recovered nine bodies of people who drowned during the flood.
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Multan district administration spokesperson Waseem Yousuf said the Chenab River water levels were falling. However, a major flood surge in the Sutlej is expected to reach Jalalpur in the coming days, posing a threat to villages in Lodhran and Bahawalpur.
Relief Commissioner Javed reported that 118 people have died in various flood-related incidents. He said 4.7 million people across 47,000 mouzas have been affected, with 2.6 million people and 2 million cattle evacuated.
A total of 337 relief camps, 429 medical camps, and 368 veterinary camps have been set up.
Dams and River Levels:
Javed said Mangla Dam is 95% full while Tarbela Dam is at full capacity.
India’s Bhakra Dam is 88% full, Pong Dam 94%, and Thein Dam 88%.
Punjab PDMA spokesperson said water levels are falling in major rivers, including Jhelum, Sutlej, Ravi, and Chenab.
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A low-level flood is at Panjnad, with water at 148,450 cusecs.
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Ganda Singh Wala is experiencing a medium flood with 95,000 cusecs.
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Sulemanki Headworks is rising at 88,238 cusecs.
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Islam Headworks remains steady at 71,751 cusecs.
Earlier, the chief secretary directed immediate relief efforts, including dispatching tents and rations to the most affected areas, especially Uch Sharif.
He emphasized water drainage and road restoration to speed up rehabilitation work in flood-hit districts.
