Clearance of flood zones ordered

LAHORE:

Approving a decision to clear flood zones across Punjab within three months, Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif has ordered strict enforcement of a ban on construction within river passages and waterways.

She was chairing a meeting on flood management in which relevant departments presented a detailed briefing.

It was decided that no financial assistance would be provided if illegal structures built within water channels collapse during floods.

Approval was granted for restructuring of the Provincial Disaster Management Authority and the creation of eight new wings to strengthen the response capacity.

Participants agreed on a proposal to construct 17 mini-dams across the province.

A decision was also taken to enhance water storage capacity at the Kalabagh and Sadhnai barrages.

The chief minister also ordered the introduction of an inflatable dam technology in the province.

During the meeting, approval was also granted for the establishment of District Emergency Operation Centres, Regional Disaster Centres and warehouses. The chief minister also approved the provision of modern equipment to Rescue 1122 for flood operations.

As per the briefing, rehabilitation work on flood-affected routes has been completed. A total of 186 roads spanning 563 kilometres, 446 culverts and a bridge damaged during last floods have been restored.

Along the five major rivers of the province, 1,990 areas fall in high-risk flood zones, 1,278 in medium and 3,169 in low risk.

The participants were informed that 183 irrigation projects were currently under way in Punjab.

Desilting will be carried out in 298 drains and flood channels and 67 drainage systems.

The chief minister was also presented a detailed report outlining short-, medium- and long-term planning for flood management across the province.

Meanwhile, in a message on Saraiki Ajrak Day, Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz extended greetings to the people of the region. She said Punjab is a custodian of Pakistan's diverse cultures and ancient traditions.

Earlier, in 2025, the Provincial Disaster Management Authority (PDMA) report had revealed that the floods affected more than 2,300 villages, displacing an estimated 1.5 million people. Around 481,000 stranded individuals have been moved to safer areas.

Relief efforts are underway, with 511 relief camps set up in flood-hit districts, alongside 351 medical camps and 321 veterinary facilities. Rescue teams have also shifted over 405,000 livestock to safety.

The humanitarian toll continues to climb.

At least 30 people have died in the ongoing floods, including two fatalities in Lahore caused by lightning strikes. Officials confirmed widespread losses to crops, homes and livestock, with damage assessments currently underway.

Punjab Relief Commissioner Nabeel Javed said compensation would be ensured, particularly for farmers who lost standing crops and livestock.

PDMA had said the province was witnessing its worst flooding in decades. PDMA Director General Irfan Ali Kathia said the Sutlej River overflowed after a breach at India's Madhopur Headworks, sending massive volumes of water toward Pakistan. Kasur, he said, recorded its highest water levels since 1955.

Authorities have evacuated thousands of families from Kasur, Multan, Hafizabad and Chishtian, while rescue teams are using boats to relocate residents in the hardest-hit districts. Relief camps have been set up across Punjab and Balochistan to provide food, drinking water, medical assistance and temporary shelter.

However, displaced residents in Multan and Rajanpur complained of shortages of boats and inadequate arrangements for moving livestock. Farmers in Sialkot and Pakpattan said they had lost entire harvests of rice and sugarcane.