Punjab seeks Pakistan Army assistance amid severe flood situation

Lahore: The Punjab government has sought assistance from the Pakistan Army in response to the severe flooding in the province’s rivers.

The Punjab Home Department has formally requested the Federal Ministry of Interior to deploy the army in six districts facing critical flood conditions.

The army has been requisitioned in Lahore, Kasur, Sialkot, Faisalabad, Narowal, and Okara to assist the civil administration and protect human lives in flood-affected areas.

District administrations, Rescue 1122, Civil Defence, and police are already engaged in relief operations.

According to the Punjab Home Department, the strength of army contingents in the six districts will be determined in consultation with the respective district administrations.

The letter further states that Army Aviation and other resources will also be provided in affected areas as required.

Meanwhile, Federal Minister Ahsan Iqbal confirmed that Narowal district is currently facing a severe flood emergency. At Kot Nainan, a discharge of 250,000 cusecs from the River Ravi has inundated vast areas, while the Dek Nullah is also experiencing heavy flooding.

Ahsan Iqbal said that while district authorities are actively engaged in relief efforts, the severity of the situation has necessitated support from the Pakistan Army.

He appealed to citizens to remain vigilant, avoid unnecessary risks, and ensure their safety, adding that he himself is visiting Narowal to review the situation.

It is pertinent to mention that India has released a flood surge of 200,000 cusecs into the River Ravi, while continuous rainfall has caused the Ravi, Chenab, and Sutlej rivers to swell dangerously.

At Head Marala on the Chenab River, the water level has reached an “extremely high flood” category, with inflows recorded at 696,534 cusecs.

According to the Flood Forecasting Division Lahore, the Sutlej River at Ganda Singh Wala is also in the “extremely high flood” category, with a recorded flow of 245,236 cusecs.