Nearly 150,000 people have been relocated to safer areas from flood-prone districts of Punjab as authorities acted on early warnings issued by the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) regarding rising water levels in the Sutlej River.
Mass Evacuations in Vulnerable Districts
Responding swiftly to the NDMA’s alerts, the Provincial Disaster Management Authority (PDMA) Punjab launched large-scale evacuation operations. Emergency teams were deployed, while all relevant departments were placed on high alert to safeguard lives and minimise losses.
According to official figures shared by NDMA, evacuations included 89,868 people from Bahawalnagar, 14,140 from Kasur, 2,063 from Okara, 873 from Pakpattan, 361 from Bahawalpur, and 165 from Vehari.
Early Response Saved Thousands
Authorities confirmed that about 40,000 residents had already moved to safety soon after the initial alerts were issued, reducing the risks when the river swelled further.
Public Advisory and Safety Measures
The NDMA has instructed institutions and emergency services to stay vigilant, urging citizens to avoid rivers, streams, and low-lying areas, refrain from unnecessary travel, and follow safety guidelines shared via TV, radio, mobile alerts, and the Pak NDMA Disaster Alert app.
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