Flooding in Punjab, Pakistan submerges around 1600 villages, causing over a million people to evacuate
In the face of an unprecedented monsoon pattern, the current floods in Pakistan have left a trail of destruction across various provinces. The Punjab province, in particular, has been hit hard, with the rivers Chenab, Ravi, and Sutlej causing widespread flooding.
According to the latest press release from the PDMA Punjab, a total of 1,147,000 people have been evacuated from high-risk areas near these rivers. The evacuations were initiated in response to floods caused by heavy rains and excess water released by neighboring India.
The worst-affected areas have been those near the Chenab river, where 991 villages have been submerged, and a total of 1,009,000 people have been evacuated. To support these evacuations, the provincial government called in the army to aid in rescue and relief operations.
In addition to people, the floods have also affected a large number of animals. A total of 73,000 animals were shifted to safer locations from near the Chenab river, 70,000 from the Sutlej river, and 4,500 from the Ravi river.
To cater to the medical needs of the evacuated population, the PDMA Punjab has established a total of 265 medical camps in all affected districts. Furthermore, 112 of these medical camps have been set up in areas affected by the floods near the Chenab river alone. The PDMA Punjab has also established 126 relief camps and 214 veterinary camps in all affected districts.
The crisis is not over yet, as floodwaters are expected to move south into the Sindh province. Since June 26, torrential monsoon rains have claimed nearly 820 lives across Pakistan, and more than 1,100 people have been injured.
The Indian government has also been active in evacuation efforts, initiating the evacuation of 1,009,000 people from areas along the Chenab River from August 23 to September 1, 2021.
As the floodwaters recede, the focus will shift towards rebuilding and recovery. The numbers speak for themselves - a monumental effort will be required to help those affected by these floods get back on their feet.
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