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, acknowledging this would flood 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 said the federal government would fully cooperate with regional authorities to avert flooding risks, particularly in urban areas like Gujarat, Sialkot, and Lahore.
Sialkot has seen record rainfall, leading to significant submersion of cars, homes, and buildings. Many residents are stranded, with officials indicating that emergency teams are conducting door-to-door evacuations in affected villages.
While some families willingly seek refuge, others, fearing the loss of their livestock and belongings, remain defiantly in their homes. As water levels rise, it’s a critical time for action, and ongoing efforts are crucial to mitigate further disaster.
It comes after Pakistani officials said India had warned it would release water from major dams upstream, acknowledging this would flood 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 said the federal government would fully cooperate with regional authorities to avert flooding risks, particularly in urban areas like Gujarat, Sialkot, and Lahore.
Sialkot has seen record rainfall, leading to significant submersion of cars, homes, and buildings. Many residents are stranded, with officials indicating that emergency teams are conducting door-to-door evacuations in affected villages.
While some families willingly seek refuge, others, fearing the loss of their livestock and belongings, remain defiantly in their homes. As water levels rise, it’s a critical time for action, and ongoing efforts are crucial to mitigate further disaster.
