Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has directed authorities to urgently restore electricity and communication networks in flood-affected parts of Punjab and Sindh, as rising river levels continue to threaten communities.
The Prime Minister paused his official engagements in Beijing to chair a high-level review meeting on the worsening flood situation. He instructed the National Highway Authority and the Ministry of Energy to treat restoration of essential infrastructure as a top priority.
Coordinated Relief and Rescue Efforts
Shehbaz Sharif emphasized the importance of close coordination between federal and provincial governments, as well as disaster management institutions, to ensure swift relief, relocation of displaced families, and rehabilitation of damaged infrastructure. He urged officials to speed up the search for people still missing due to the floods.
The National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) has been tasked with maintaining continuous communication with provincial disaster management authorities and providing full operational support. Rescue 1122, Pakistan Army, Rangers, and various NGOs are also actively engaged in joint relief missions, dispatching aid and medical assistance to affected communities.
Rivers Under Watch
Authorities are closely monitoring the Ravi, Chenab, and Sutlej rivers, where rising water levels have raised alarms. NDMA teams are deployed at critical sites including Trimmu, Balloki, Sadhnai, Ganda Singh Wala, and Sulemanki to strengthen protective measures.
Officials warned of severe flooding at Panjnad as waters from the three rivers converge, with the flood expected to reach Sindh’s Guddu Barrage by Saturday afternoon. Preparations are underway in Sindh, where NDMA is working with the provincial government to minimize damage and safeguard lives.
Focus on Rehabilitation
Relief supplies are being dispatched on a regular basis, while the restoration of power transmission lines and road networks is being accelerated. The Prime Minister stressed that rehabilitation efforts must continue relentlessly until all affected families are safely resettled and essential services are restored.
