Nearly 300,000 people have been evacuated from flood-hit areas in Pakistan’s Punjab province in the past 48 hours, bringing the total number of displaced individuals to 1.3 million since last month.
The floods, triggered by heavy rains and water releases from dams in India, have submerged dozens of villages in Punjab’s Muzaffargarh district, affecting over 3.3 million people across 33,000 villages.
Arfan Ali Kathia, director-general of Punjab’s Provincial Disaster Management Authority, said, “the damage is still being assessed, and all those who lost homes and crops would be compensated by the Punjab government.”
Thousands of rescuers, using boats and drones, are participating in relief and rescue operations, while the military has been deployed to transport people and animals from inundated villages.
Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif visited flood-hit areas, meeting with displaced families at camps. “There are no liveable facilities in the camps,” said Malik Ramzan, a displaced resident. “Food isn’t delivered on time, and we are treated like beggars.”
Facilities at the camps are indeed poor, with no clean drinking water, inadequate toilet facilities, and frequent power breakdowns, making people vulnerable to health issues and disease outbreaks.
The floods have devastated farmlands, homes, and businesses, with the latest deluge being the worst since 2022, when climate-induced flooding killed nearly 1,700 people in Pakistan.
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has directed the National Disaster Management Authority to complete flood relief arrangements in advance, emphasizing the need for preparedness and solidarity in the face of this humanitarian crisis.
The government has set up tent villages and is supplying food and essential items to flood-affected people. However, many survivors have complained about the lack of government aid. The Pakistan Red Crescent Society has expanded its services to almost every part of Punjab, providing relief to those in need.
Climate scientists attribute the intense flooding to higher-intensity rainfall, exacerbated by climate change. “Mitigating flooding in Pakistan requires a multi-faceted approach that addresses both structural and non-structural measures,” said Ayyoob Sharifi, a professor at Hiroshima University.
This includes building and maintaining drainage systems, restoring natural waterways, and implementing early warning systems.
As Pakistan navigates this crisis, the international community is urged to provide support and aid to those affected. With severe weather forecast to continue, it’s essential to prioritize life-saving assistance in health, water, food security, and shelter.
Flooding in Pakistan has displaced nearly 300,000 people and affected over 1.2 million others, with the death toll exceeding 800 since late June. The floods have devastated farmlands, homes, and businesses across more than 1,400 villages.
Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif described the crisis as the province’s worst flood emergency in decades, urging officials to ensure displaced families receive food, medicine, and protection against waterborne diseases.
Rescue efforts are ongoing, with 700 relief camps and 265 medical facilities established to support affected communities. The Pakistan Red Crescent Society has expanded its services to almost every part of Punjab, providing relief to those in need.
However, many families have reported waiting days for government help, highlighting the need for more effective disaster response.
The floods have been exacerbated by climate change, with scientists attributing the intense rainfall to higher-intensity precipitation events.
Ayyoob Sharifi, a professor at Hiroshima University, emphasizes the need for a multi-faceted approach to mitigate flooding, including building and maintaining drainage systems, restoring natural waterways, and implementing early warning systems.
The government has launched relief operations, with Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif directing the National Disaster Management Authority to complete all arrangements for rescue and relief.
The NDMA has forecast more severe weather, predicting continued rainfall across the country’s upper areas over the next 24 to 48 hours.