LAHORE: Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz on Thursday visited Shahdara to review the flood situation along the Ravi River. She boarded a boat to personally inspect the rising waters and the pressure building on the riverbanks.
Speaking to reporters after her visit, Maryam Nawaz said Punjab has faced continuous and heavy rainfall in recent weeks. She noted that water levels in all three major rivers have reached dangerous levels. “I have never seen so much water in the Ravi River before,” she remarked. “Our rivers were under immense pressure. If the Punjab government had not acted in time, the devastation could have been catastrophic.”
She praised the local administration and the rescue teams for their timely response. According to her, not a single life was lost due to negligence. She added that over 50,000 people had been shifted to safer locations along with a large number of livestock.
The Chief Minister assured that her government is committed to relief and recovery efforts. She pledged that every affected citizen would receive support and compensation for their losses. “Water is a blessing, but without storage systems and proper drainage planning, we remain vulnerable,” she said. Maryam Nawaz further directed all departments to prepare solid programmes to store and manage floodwater in the future.
Meanwhile, Senior Minister Marriyum Aurangzeb confirmed that at least 12 people have lost their lives in the Punjab floods. Speaking to the media, she clarified that no deaths occurred due to negligence of the government or rescue teams. She said that rescue operations are continuing through boats, and teams are working round the clock. Six to seven individuals trapped in debris have also been rescued.
The minister said food is being supplied at relief camps, while almost 200,000 animals have been relocated to safe areas along with their owners. She urged citizens not to enter flood-hit areas or approach water channels for photos or selfies.
Aurangzeb praised the dedication of rescue and administrative staff, noting that many workers have been active for three to five days without rest. She also appreciated the media for its coverage and acknowledged the presence of elected officials and ministers in the affected regions.