Wednesday, July 23, 2025

Govt to provide financial aid to flash flood victims: Punjab CM

Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz visited flood-hit areas in Nankana Sahib to assess the extent of damage caused by recent heavy rains and oversee ongoing relief operations, Radio Pakistan reported on Wednesday. During the visit, she interacted with local residents and personally reviewed the government’s emergency response. The chief minister assured affected families that the provincial government would compensate them for the loss of crops and livestock due to floodwaters. She further announced financial assistance for individuals whose mud homes were destroyed in the deluge, reaffirming the administration’s commitment to support rehabilitation and recovery efforts. Punjab Chief Minister says provincial government will compensate the losses inflicted due to flash flooding@GovtofPunjabPK @MaryamNSharif #RadioPakistan #News https://t.co/cs8IIC5KCT pic.twitter.com/7AypUQJmNL — Radio Pakistan (@RadioPakistan) July 23, 2025 Meanwhile, in light of recent destructive flooding, the Rawalpindi district administration has declared 19 urban locations as highly susceptible to future flash floods. In a formal directive, Deputy Commissioner Hassan Waqar Cheema issued a circular identifying these high-risk areas and appointing Assistant Commissioners, Tehsildars, and departmental heads as area-specific supervisory officers. The vulnerable zones include New Katarian Lai Bridge, Bangash Colony, Zia-ul-Haq Colony, Boring Road, Pirwadhai Bridge, Dhoke Naju, Dhoke Dalal, Dhoke Hassu Bridge, Hazara Colony, Dhoke Ratta, Gawalmandi, Dhoke Elahi Bakhsh, Sadiqabad, Javed Colony, Nadeem Colony, Tahli Mohri, Jan Colony, Tench Bhatta Last Stop, Banaras Colony, and Sharon Colony (Sawan Camp). These areas have experienced severe urban flooding on three separate occasions within the past week, with water rising three to five feet inside homes and streets, causing widespread damage and hardship for residents. Read More: Ten more dead as monsoon spell intensifies across country To strengthen on-ground disaster response, circle in-charges have been designated from relevant departments. Additionally, officers from the health, education, police, revenue, rescue services, and civil defence departments have been deployed to these flood-prone areas to ensure coordinated action during emergencies. The DC has mandated that all assigned officers must report to their designated locations at the onset of rainfall. Failure to respond or any dereliction of duty will result in strict disciplinary action. Despite these measures, residents of Nadeem Colony, Javed Colony, and Dhoke Elahi Bakhsh—including Haji Naveed Khan, Chaudhry Imran, Chaudhry Shaukat, and Zartaj Khan—have expressed deep frustration. They claim their communities have endured over five decades of recurring flood crises, yet during the most recent deluge, no official presence or support was evident—even as floodwaters inundated their neighbourhoods. Residents called on the administration to move beyond symbolic oversight and deploy fully equipped rescue teams. They emphasised the urgent need for comprehensive drainage system cleaning and active flood relief operations. Locals say they don’t need “officials in suits and boots watching from the sidelines,” but real rescue teams on the ground.

from Punjab News Updates and Insights - The Express Tribune https://ift.tt/yxU3t5Z

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