Islamabad : Chairman of the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA), Lieutenant General Inam Haider Malik, has said that monsoon rains are expected to continue for the next 2 to 3 days, with intensified water flow at Head Panjnad and Guddu Barrage. However, the situation in rivers Sutlej, Ravi, and Chenab remains under control.
Briefing on the flood situation alongside Federal Minister for Climate Change Musadik Malik, the NDMA chief revealed that more than 2.4 million people in Punjab and over 150,000 in Sindh have been shifted to safer locations. Relief operations are in full swing, with the government having supplied Punjab with 9,000 tents and over 9,000 tons of food rations.
Lt. Gen. Inam warned of more heavy rainfall between September 16 and 18, especially in Central Punjab and Azad Kashmir. He emphasized the escalating impact of climate change, noting the accelerated melting of glaciers, which has significantly increased the risk of flooding across the country.
Federal Minister Musadik Malik described climate change as a critical national challenge, stating that the Prime Minister has declared a climate emergency in Pakistan. He highlighted severe damage in Sialkot and Narowal due to torrential rains and confirmed that effective measures are being taken in Sindh to mitigate the impact of floods.
The minister also shared a grim update, confirming that over 900 lives have been lost so far due to floods and heavy rains. He urged all government departments and organizations to work collectively to support the victims, with special focus on ensuring a secure future for affected children.
