More boats and relief equipment have been provided for flood rescue operations in six cities of South Punjab.
The relevant authorities have deployed 119 boat operators for rescue operations in Multan, Muzaffargarh, Rahim Yar Khan, Bahawalpur and Lodhran.
Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz was informed in a briefing that 108 traditional and 109 rubber boats had been provided along with 1,130 life jackets for rescue operations in the flood-hit areas of Multan. In addition, 57 wooden and 53 rubber boats with 683 life jackets have been provided for Muzaffargarh.
Officials said 47 normal and 44 rubber boats with 519 life jackets had reached Rahim Yar Khan; 38 wooden and 40 rubber boats with 519 life jackets had been sent to Bahawalpur, and 37 boats, including rubber vessels and 546 life jackets had been dispatched to Lodhran for rescue operations in the flood-affected areas.
Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz was informed that emergency evacuation had been initiated due to a sudden breach in the Baloch Wah protective flood dam in the Baharan suburb of Jalalpur Pirwala. The commissioner and deputy commissioners of Multan reached the spot along with rescue teams, while teams from Pakistan Army and the irrigation department also arrived to fill the crack.
Officials of the district administration and other relevant institutions reached the five potentially affected villages and made announcements for their evacuation.
Rescue teams reached the doors and evacuated the residents to safe places.
Meanwhile, Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz congratulated rescue teams and relevant institutions for draining floodwater from Gujrat in record time. She said the personnel of all institutions participating in the rescue operation day and night were heroes
She said the institutions had set an example of public service by working round-the-clock for four days. She said life had returned to normal in Gujrat and vowed that her team would work with the same spirit in other areas of Punjab.
After visiting Gujrat on September 5, the chief minister had deployed water and sanitation machinery and staff from five other areas to drain floodwater from the city. She said the worst flood in the history of the province was a huge challenge.
The chief minister said there would be no compromise on the lives, property, food, treatment and housing of the flood-affected people across the province.
She highlighted that the rehabilitation process would also move forward rapidly after the rescue.
Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz underscored that the government would compensate for the damage caused to crops and properties of people, and would not leave them alone in this hour of difficulty. She stated that a planning process would be launched in the province after the conclusion of the rescue efforts.
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