GUJRAT: District administrations in Gujrat and Sialkot declared a public holiday today as floods intensified in Punjab, fueled by heavy inflows from India into the Sutlej and Chenab rivers.
The National Disaster Management Authority’s (NDMA) emergency centre issued an urgent alert, warning of extraordinary flooding in the Chenab, Ravi, and Sutlej rivers, and directed immediate evacuation of at-risk populations. NDMA Chairman Lt Gen Inam Haider confirmed that over 190,000 people have already been relocated to safer zones.
Deputy Commissioners of Gujrat and Sialkot, Noor-ul-Ain Qureshi and Saba Asghar Ali, inspected Head Marala to review the flood situation. Officials also confirmed the rescue of 20 people trapped near Shahbazpur Bridge.
Meanwhile, mobile and internet services remained badly affected in Gujrat, hampering communication for residents.
The provincial government has requisitioned Pakistan Army units to assist the civil administration across seven districts as water levels surge. Authorities said India has opened all gates of the River Ravi dam, worsening flood risks downstream.
