Punjab Senior Minister Marriyum Aurangzeb on Sunday said that Punjab is facing an extraordinary situation due to unprecedented floods in its history, reported 24NewsHD TV channel on Sunday.
Addressing a press conference in Lahore, Punjab senior minister said that the three rivers Ravi, Sutlej, and Chenab are facing the worst flooding in decades.
She said that due to the extraordinary situation, Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz was taking measures to save lives of the people.
Marriyum said that floods had affected more than 20 million people, and 7.5 million people were shifted to safer places.
She went on to say that 5,00,000 animals were also shifted to safe location and more than 400 veterinary hospitals were established.
All educational institutions and civil defence offices had been reserved for housing the flood-affected people.
Marriyum said that 1,50,000 people were shifted to other locations through boats.
At Ravi Bridge, the flow has been recorded at around 500,000 cusecs, and similar high levels are being recorded at Khanki, Qadirabad, and Ganda Singh Wala on the Sutlej.
“The entire government is on its toes at the moment,” Marriyum said, stressing that the “government’s topmost priority is to prevent any loss of life.”
Marriyum said that Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz had directed all MNAs and MPAs to remain in their respective constituencies to help flood victims.
The minister said that the Punjab CM would visit flood-affected areas of Kasur today.
Marriyum said that the Punjab government would look after the belongings of people who were evacuated from their homes.
She said that no one caused any harm to the relief camps, established by Al-Khidmat Foundation. Marriyum said that more dams would be built in Punjab, and currently, a plan had been forwarded to the Asian Development Bank (ADB).