Rescue operations along rivers expanded

Large-scale rescue and relief operations continued across Punjab on Sunday as floodwaters from River Ravi and heavy rainfall left thousands stranded in low-lying areas.

Rescue 1122 teams, Punjab Police and Motorway Police reported extensive evacuations, with the total number of rescued persons across the province exceeding 154,000.

According to Rescue 1122 spokesperson Farooq Ahmed, emergency staff rescued 220 people, including women, children and elderly citizens, from Khurdpur village near Manga Mandi. Another 16 people were evacuated from Wadana, a neighbouring settlement. All rescued individuals were shifted to safe locations along with household belongings. Ahmed said that Rescue 1122's flood relief operations were continuing day and night, with calls being received through the helpline.

Citizens were advised to share accurate locations when seeking assistance to allow timely response.

Punjab Police said that province-wide evacuations had reached significant numbers. Those rescued include 63,788 men, 45,337 women and over 45,000 children. Police also shifted more than 167,000 livestock to secure areas to prevent losses.

In Lahore, more than 6,000 people were evacuated.

The Punjab Police spokesperson said the operations are being supported by over 700 vehicles and 40 boats.

Inspector General of Punjab Police Dr Usman Anwar ordered enhanced patrolling in evacuated neighbourhoods to safeguard citizens' property from theft or damage.

At relief camps, police have been tasked with providing full security in addition to ensuring that food and other necessities are delivered to displaced persons.

Dr Anwar ordered coordination with the Provincial Disaster Management Authority (PDMA), district administrations, Rescue 1122 and other security agencies, as well as regular patrolling in villages and settlements along riverbanks to monitor the flood situation.