ISLAMABAD / LAHORE: With heavy rains and swollen rivers battering the country, federal and provincial authorities have stepped up relief operations to deal with the worsening flood crisis.
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, chairing an emergency meeting on Wednesday, instructed the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) to prepare for possible urban flooding in Lahore, Sialkot and Gujrat. Officials reported increased pressure in the Ravi and Sutlej rivers as well as monitoring at Khanki, Balloki and Qadirabad barrages. The premier called for stronger coordination between federal and provincial disaster agencies, uninterrupted power and communication systems, and swift restoration of transport links.
NDMA Chairman Lt-Gen Inam Haider Malik informed the meeting about precautionary evacuations, relocation of vulnerable communities and deployment of the army and police to assist with relief work in Punjab.
President Asif Ali Zardari, while extending condolences to families affected by the disaster, urged the Sindh government to prepare for the large volumes of water expected to enter the province in coming days. He praised the efforts of rescue teams and expressed confidence that the nation would overcome the crisis, as it had during earlier floods.
PML-N leader Nawaz Sharif has also advised party lawmakers and ministers to remain in their constituencies and actively support rescue and relief efforts. In Punjab, Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz directed local administrations to provide food, tents and medicines to those displaced, and personally inspected flood protection measures at Shahdara.
Meanwhile in Gilgit-Baltistan, Federal Minister Amir Muqam visited flood-hit areas and met the families of seven volunteers who died while working to restore water supply in Danyore. He announced compensation of Rs2 million for each family and pledged a memorial in their honour. GB officials warned of continuing risks from glacial lake outburst floods but assured that water supplies to Danyore, Sultanabad and Mohammadabad would soon be restored.
