Published on: August 27, 2025 10:41 AM
The Punjab government has requested immediate army deployment to support rescue and relief operations as floods worsen in six districts, including Lahore, Kasur, Sialkot, Faisalabad, Narowal, and Okara. The provincial Home Department wrote to the Ministry of Interior, seeking urgent approval for troops, army aviation, and additional resources. Once approved, soldiers will assist the Provincial Disaster Management Authority and local administrations in saving lives and providing emergency relief to flood-affected communities.
Moreover, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has directed the National Disaster Management Authority to accelerate evacuation and relief operations across Punjab’s flooded districts. He ordered protective measures, urgent food supplies, medicines, and tents for displaced families. The prime minister emphasized close coordination between NDMA and Punjab’s disaster management authority to ensure stranded people are moved to safer locations quickly. Monitoring has also been intensified around Ganda Singh Wala in the Sutlej River, where water levels are rising dangerously.
Meanwhile, dozens of villages in Narowal and Shakargarh have been inundated after the Ravi River, flowing in high flood, burst its banks. Thousands of acres of rice crops have been destroyed, and floodwaters have entered homes, sweeping away goods and food supplies. Officials confirmed that water is now rapidly advancing towards Narowal city, creating severe risk for the local population. Till last reports, around 236,000 cusecs of water were flowing through the Ravi River.
Similarly, Shakargarh has witnessed massive destruction as water flooded houses and submerged agricultural lands, leaving residents struggling to protect their belongings. Authorities have warned of worsening conditions, with floodwaters still on the rise. Transitioning to other regions, the River Chenab has also reached a high flood level, directly threatening Wazirabad. The situation remains critical, demanding swift evacuation and large-scale assistance.
In addition, army troops have already been deployed in Swat to support the National Disaster Management Authority’s relief activities. Soldiers are actively rescuing trapped victims and providing food and medical assistance. Punjab authorities expect similar support once the federal government approves deployment requests for the six districts now under severe threat. With rains continuing and rivers swelling, timely army involvement is being described as crucial for saving lives.
Finally, officials have assured that relief camps are being established in affected areas with food, medicines, and shelter for displaced families. However, experts caution that rising river levels may worsen in the coming days, pushing more people into danger. The worsening situation has highlighted the urgent need for coordinated response, rapid evacuations, and stronger flood management strategies to safeguard Punjab’s population.
