AdSense Advertisement

Over 4.1 million affected by floods in Punjab as death toll rises to 56: PDMA

By The South Asia Times

LAHORE – More than 4.1 million people have been affected by devastating floods across 25 districts of Punjab, where 4,100 villages remain inundated and the death toll has climbed to 56 since August 26, the Provincial Disaster Management Authority (PDMA) reported on Sunday.

Addressing the media in Lahore, PDMA Director General Irfan Ali Kathia said that 41 million people in the affected villages had been impacted. To respond, around 425 relief camps have been established across the province. He added that 500 medical camps had also been set up, where nearly 175,000 patients have so far received treatment.

Authorities said that more than 20 million people and 15 million cattle have been rescued and relocated to safer areas.

The National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) on Sunday issued a fresh flood warning for the Sutlej River after India informed Pakistan of releasing additional water from its dams. Punjab, already overwhelmed by floods, is bracing for further devastation as the water is expected to flow downstream towards Sindh.

Sindh authorities have so far evacuated over 120,000 people from vulnerable areas and declared an emergency near riverine belts, urging residents to take precautionary measures.

Both Pakistan and India have been battered by relentless monsoon rains and floods since June 26. At least 907 people have lost their lives in Pakistan, with more than 1,000 others injured, according to official figures.