Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif visited the Ravi River in Shahdara on Thursday to assess the ongoing flood crisis triggered by heavy rainfall and water releases from India. She boarded a boat to closely monitor the rising water levels and evaluate safety measures, demonstrating her hands-on approach to managing the emergency. Her visit comes as Punjab grapples with unprecedented flooding in the Ravi, Sutlej, and Chenab rivers, affecting over 600,000 people across 769 villages.

During her inspection at the Shahdara Ravi Bridge, Maryam Nawaz reviewed protective embankments and received detailed briefings from the Deputy Commissioner of Lahore on the flood situation and post-flood challenges. She directed authorities to expedite the evacuation of residents and livestock from vulnerable riverbank areas, emphasizing that no effort be spared to ensure public safety. “Every life is precious,” she stated, praising the rescue teams for their timely efforts, including the safe evacuation of 25 people in Shakargarh.

The Chief Minister highlighted the scale of the crisis, noting, “I have never seen so much water in the Ravi River.” She credited proactive measures by the Punjab government for averting a larger catastrophe, stating that over 50,000 people and thousands of livestock have been relocated to safer areas. The government has set up 263 relief camps and 161 medical camps to provide food, water, medical care, and temporary shelters to flood victims in affected regions like Narowal, Nankana Sahib, Kasur, and Sahiwal.

Coordinating Relief and Rehabilitation Efforts

Maryam Nawaz also met with Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif in Lahore to conduct an aerial survey of flood-hit areas in Shahdara and Narowal. The duo received updates from the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) on rescue operations and coordinated relief efforts. The Punjab government has mobilized multiple departments, including the Pakistan Army, Rescue 1122, and the Provincial Disaster Management Authority (PDMA), to support affected communities. Emergency measures include deploying Clinics on Wheels, field hospitals, and veterinary services to care for both people and livestock.

The floods, driven by record rainfall and water releases from India’s Madhupur Barrage, have inundated 101 villages along the Ravi River alone, impacting 70,358 residents. The Punjab government’s response includes SMS alerts, mosque announcements for evacuations, and a focus on rehabilitation, with Maryam Nawaz assuring continued support until every displaced family returns home.