Army continues relief efforts in flood-hit areas of Balochistan, Punjab

Pakistan Army on Thursday said that its rescue and relief efforts were underway in various flood-hit areas of Balochistan and Punjab after heavy rains lashed both provinces, the military said in a statement.

According to the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR), the army troops were busy in relief activities in Dera Ghazi Khan, Rajanpur, Naseerabad and Lasbela.

"Affected population and their belongings being shifted to safer places. Army medical teams are providing medical care to affected people," the military's media wing added.

PM directs NDMA, PDMA to pace up relief activities

Meanwhile, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif directed the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) and Provincial Disaster Management Authority (PDMA) to carry out active relief and rehabilitation activities in the flood-affected areas of southern Sindh.

The prime minister expressed deep sorrow over the loss of life and property caused by the monsoon rains.

Read more: Relief efforts continue in inundated regions of Punjab: PDMA

He asked the NDMA and PDMA to pace up relief operations in the affected areas at the earliest.

PM Sharif stressed to ensure rescue of the people on priority basis and directed to provide financial assistance of Rs 50,000 to each family.

He emphasised immediate supply of food and clean water to the victims besides ensuring them facilities of accommodation and medicines.

The prime minister also instructed the authorities concerned to be vigilant in the wake of potential rain season and flooding besides take necessary measures in this regard.

PDMA spokesperson earlier in the day also said that rescue and relief efforts by the were underway in various inundated areas of Punjab.

According to the spokesperson, the disaster management authority and the provincial administration are using all resources to evacuate those affected by the flood and inundated areas are being monitored constantly.

Read Six killed in K-P as torrential rains bring more misery

He further stated that people were being shifted from the affected areas to flood relief camps and that three meals a day were being provided to the affectees in the relief camps and other places.

“The process of providing medical treatment and livestock facilities to flood victims is underway”, the spokesperson added.

PAF continues relief activities

The Pakistan Air Force (PAF) is also conducting relief and rescue operations in the affected areas. "Food and medical facilities are being provided round the clock to the affected families by the relief teams of PAF," said the force's spokesperson.

"As a humanitarian gesture, 12,155 pounds of basic food items and commodities were distributed amongst the needy families. Moreover, 939 patients were also attended by the paramedical team of Pakistan Air Force."

On Monday, India had released 170,000 cusecs of water into the Ravi River after which the Punjab PDMA had indicated a low-level flood risk in the upstream areas. An increase of 10,000 cusecs was seen in the flow due to the passage of the water released by India near Lahore on Wednesday morning.

However, the flood risk was averted as the river flow remained normal after water was released by India in the Ravi passed areas near Lahore.