WATCH: Maryam stumbles as stage collapses during Rajanpur visit

Bystanders helped PML-N leader regain balance after the stage collapse while addressing flood-hit victims

In an unprecedented turn of events, the stage PML-N vice-president Maryam Nawaz stood on, collapsed mid-speech, causing the politician to topple over while bystanders helped her regain balance.

Pressing on after her shaky interruption, the PML-N leader continued to address flood victims in Fazilpur area of Punjab's Rajanpur district on Wednesday.

When Maryam was asked if she sustained any injury, she replied, “I’m fine and used to such injuries.”

In an unprecedented turn of events, the stage PML-N leader Maryam Nawaz stood on, collapsed mid-speech. Pressing on after her shaky interruption, the PML-N vice president continued to address flood victims in Fazilpur area of Punjab's Rajanpur district.#etribune #MaryamNawaz pic.twitter.com/LHQwl6OCCS

— The Express Tribune (@etribune) August 31, 2022

Taking on Twitter she retweeted a short video clip with the message, saying: “We should all join hands. They need us. Honestly the destruction is huge.”

We should all join hands. They need us. Honestly the destruction is huge. https://t.co/Z65MFYyg5h

— Maryam Nawaz Sharif (@MaryamNSharif) August 31, 2022

The PML-N stalwart has been visiting Punjab's different districts and interacting with flood affectees as millions in Pakistan are suffering from rain-induced flooding.

While sharing another tweet, she wrote that despite facing the devastation after the floods a child from Rajanpur has not forgotten his laughter from the heart.

راجن پور کے ایک تباہ شدہ محلے کا یہ بچہ ہنسنا نہیں بھولا! بچے من کے سچے ♥️ pic.twitter.com/aIBYpfP9rv

— Maryam Nawaz Sharif (@MaryamNSharif) August 31, 2022

Can’t get over this child ♥️☺️ pic.twitter.com/qIePOQhDFv

— Maryam Nawaz Sharif (@MaryamNSharif) August 31, 2022

Nawaz Sharif also promised to rebuild homes of the flood hit communities and compensate them against the losses they had suffered in the catastrophic floods triggered by torrential monsoon rains that turned into ferocious hill torrents, hitting Rajanpur and Dera Ghazi Khan districts.

“I am here to promise the PML-N will leave no stone unturned in serving the people. These are testing times that forced the people to settle in relief camps. But they must not worry. The federal government would not only rebuild your homes but also compensate against losses,” she added.

She distributed tents, food items, medicines, blankets, and clothes among the affected people.

LIVE #APPNews : Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz leader Maryam Nawaz Sharif interacts with the flood-affected people #FloodsInPakistan #FloodReliefOperations https://t.co/3K4loBtiXR

— APP 🇵🇰 (@appcsocialmedia) August 31, 2022

Early estimates put the damage from the deadly floods at more than $10 billion, Planning Minister Ahsan Iqbal said on Monday, adding that the world has an obligation to help the South Asian nation cope with the effects of man-made climate change.

Unprecedented flash floods caused by historic monsoon rains have washed away roads, crops, infrastructure and bridges, killing at least 1,000 people in recent weeks and affecting more than 33 million.

"I think it is going to be huge. So far, (a) very early, preliminary estimate is that it is big, it is higher than $10 billion," Iqbal added.

"So far we have lost 1,000 human lives. There is damage to almost nearly one million houses," Iqbal said at his office. "People have actually lost their complete livelihood."

The minister said it might take five years to rebuild and rehabilitate the nation of 200 million people, while in the near term it will be confronted with acute food shortages.

(With additional input from APP and Reuters)