Over 900 people relocated from flood-hit areas as Indus River flooding to persist in Pakistan

In this file phhoto, taken on June 4, 2020, rescue workers take part in a flood exercise in the Ravi river in Lahore. (AFP/File)

• Punjab PDMA says it has set up 36 relief camps and evacuated people using 24 boats and 78 rescue workers
• Authorities say a total of 785 houses and 49,212 acres of land have been affected by flood water in Punjab

ISLAMABAD: The Provincial Disaster Management Authority (PDMA) of Punjab announced on Friday the Indus River flooding was likely to persist for the next few days, saying it had relocated over 900 residents of various flood-affected settlements to safe places.
The flooding in areas like Mianwali, Layyah, Muzaffargarh, Dera Ghazi Khan and Rajanpur has forced the evacuation of residents and their livestock, with 34 villages submerged under rising waters.
The situation has persisted for several days as monsoon rains have significantly elevated water levels in the river and caused widespread devastation across Pakistan.
This year’s monsoon has already resulted in at least 154 deaths, with over 1,500 homes damaged, and authorities warn the current spell of downpours is likely to continue until August 14.
“Twenty-four boats and 78 rescue workers are engaged in rescue activities, a total of 36 relief camps have been set up in flood-affected areas and 930 people are transferred to safe places in time,” the PDMA chief, Irfan Ali Kathia, said in a statement.
“About 1,572 people were provided treatment in 33 medical campuses in the affected areas,” the statement continued. “757 cattle have been shifted from flooded areas to safe places while 42,714 animals have been vaccinated.”
The PDMA said a total of 785 houses and 49,212 acres of land had been affected by the flood water, adding the flood situation was “expected to persist in the Indus River for the next few days.”
The statement informed all the relevant institutions have been put on alert.
It also requested the public to cooperate with the administration in emergency situations.