Lahore: Provincial Minister Marriyum Aurangzeb has said while holding a press conference that the flood situation in Punjab has become serious. So far, more than 2 million people have been affected and about 750,000 people have been shifted to safer places.
According to her, the largest rescue operation has been carried out in the history of Punjab. Five lakh cattle have also been shifted to safe places while more than 400 veterinary camps have been set up. Special measures have also been taken to provide fodder to cattle.
The minister further said that high level of flood is continuing at Khanki and Qadirabad in the Chenab River while water is also at high level at Rawas Bridge. There is moderate flood at Jasar in the Ravi River while 361,000 cusecs of water is passing through Trimon Bridge. The water flow at Gandasinghwala on the Sutlej has increased to dangerous levels.
Although timely evacuation and rescue in the affected areas have prevented major destruction, the real test will be in the rehabilitation stages. Experts say that without the elimination of encroachments in drains and rivers, this problem will intensify every year.
