Sialkot, Narowal & Jhang Worst-Hit as Punjab Battles Deadly Floods
LAHORE: Punjab’s Provincial Disaster Management Authority (PDMA) has revealed alarming figures as Sialkot, Narowal, and Jhang have emerged as the worst flood-affected districts in the province. Rescue and relief operations are underway, but the scale of devastation continues to grow with every passing day.
Sialkot Tops the List of Affected Districts
According to the PDMA report issued on Saturday, Sialkot has been hit the hardest, with 1,069 villages (Mauzas) submerged due to floods and heavy rainstorms. The floods have affected a population of 1.77 million, leaving 24 people dead and thousands displaced.Narowal and Jhang Struggle Against Rising Waters
Narowal ranks second, where 908 Mauzas have been badly affected, impacting more th
an 180,000 people and claiming four lives. Meanwhile, Jhang recorded damage in 313 Mauzas, though no deaths or injuries have been reported so far.
Province-Wide Devastation
The PDMA highlighted that a total of 4,744 Mauzas across Punjab have been hit by floods. The breakdown shows:
-
2,489 villages affected by the Chenab River
-
1,458 by the Ravi River
-
701 by the Sutlej River
-
96 by the Indus River
Overall, more than 4.57 million people across Punjab have been impacted by these floods. The death toll has reached 101, with eight reported injuries.
Other Affected Districts
The report further lists damage across several districts:
-
Gujrat: 214 Mauzas, 4 deaths
-
Multan: 138 Mauzas
-
Muzaffargarh: 147 Mauzas
-
Kasur: 163 Mauzas
-
Bahawalnagar: 143 Mauzas
-
Bahawalpur: 121 Mauzas
-
And dozens more, including Lahore, Sheikhupura, Okara, and Faisalabad.
Interestingly, Lahore Deputy Commissioner Syed Musa Raza clarified that the earlier reported death in Lahore was incorrect and would be removed from the official record.
Relief and Rehabilitation Efforts
To manage the crisis, over 2.5 million people have been evacuated from flood-hit areas. Additionally:
-
More than 2 million animals have been shifted to safer grounds.
-
392 relief camps are operational, sheltering 81,810 people.
-
493 medical camps have treated 383,976 patients so far.
-
422 veterinary camps are also providing critical support.
The Bigger Picture
The floods have exposed Punjab’s vulnerability to natural disasters, with millions displaced, crops destroyed, and livestock endangered. Authorities are racing against time to prevent further loss of life and property.