Extraordinary Decision to Protect Populated Areas
Authorities in Punjab have decided to breach the Rawaz Bridge in an emergency move to safeguard the cities of Jhang and Chiniot. Meanwhile, other parts of the province are already facing severe consequences, as floodwaters engulfed Wazirabad after the Chenab River overflowed, raising alarms about the broader flood threat across Punjab.
The decision, described as both “difficult and extraordinary,” was made to reduce the mounting water pressure and divert flood currents away from heavily populated urban areas. Officials stressed that the step was necessary to prevent major loss of life and infrastructure.
Emergency Meeting in Lahore
The decision was taken during an emergency meeting chaired by Punjab Chief Secretary Zahid Akhtar Zaman at the Punjab Disaster Management Authority (PDMA) headquarters in Lahore.
Participants included Relief Commissioner Nabeel Javed, PDMA Director General Irfan Ali Kathia, and senior officials from multiple departments. Provincial health ministers Khawaja Salman Rafiq and Khawaja Imran Nazir also joined via video link.
During the meeting, officials reviewed real-time flood updates, relief operations, and the urgent need for preventive evacuations.
Evacuations Ordered in Vulnerable Districts
It was resolved that riverine communities in Nankana Sahib, Sheikhupura, and Toba Tek Singh must be immediately evacuated. Authorities warned that remaining in low-lying belts could expose residents to dangerous flood surges.
To strengthen relief operations, the government decided to deploy additional administrative officers in the most affected districts. These officers will coordinate rescue activities, oversee evacuation, and ensure swift aid distribution.
Schools and Health Services
The Punjab government is also considering closing schools for one week in flood-affected districts to ensure the safety of children.
At the same time, the “Clinic on Wheels” programme is being reactivated to deliver mobile healthcare services to vulnerable communities. These units will provide emergency treatment, medicines, and vaccinations in areas where hospitals and clinics are inaccessible due to rising waters.
Relief and Shelter Measures
Chief Secretary Zaman assured that, under instructions from the Punjab Chief Minister, all demands for relief and rescue supplies are being prioritized.
He directed authorities to establish tent villages in safe zones, equipped with basic necessities such as food, clean water, and medical support. The chief secretary stressed that both human and livestock needs must be addressed, highlighting that animals are vital assets for rural families.
The livestock department was instructed to ensure immediate supply of fodder and vaccines. Medical teams were also ordered to stock all camps with essential drugs, including snake-bite vaccines, which are in high demand during floods.
Weather Forecast Raises Concerns
PDMA Director General Kathia briefed the meeting on the evolving situation. He warned that the ninth spell of the monsoon season is expected to bring further heavy rains across major regions, including Gujranwala, Lahore, Rawalpindi, Sargodha, Faisalabad, Dera Ghazi Khan, Bahawalpur, Bahawalnagar, and Sahiwal.
According to the irrigation department, a large flood wave in the Chenab River is moving towards Jhang, posing a serious risk. Meanwhile, the Ravi River is currently carrying 217,000 cusecs of water, though officials expect levels to recede within hours.
Departments on High Alert
The meeting was also attended virtually by secretaries from irrigation, health, livestock, and agriculture departments. Each outlined their contingency plans, including supply chain measures for food, water, and emergency services.
Officials emphasized that timely coordination among departments is critical to minimizing damage. Rescue teams remain on high alert, with boats, helicopters, and ground vehicles deployed in flood-prone areas.
A Region at Risk
Punjab, Pakistan’s most populous province, has long been vulnerable to monsoon flooding, which disrupts agriculture, displaces families, and damages infrastructure. In 2022, similar floods left nearly 33 million people affected nationwide, underscoring the scale of climate-related disasters the country faces.
While breaching Rawaz Bridge may protect urban populations in the short term, the move reflects the difficult trade-offs authorities must make to manage disasters in a region increasingly impacted by climate change.
