Islamabad: Around 1.1 million people have been affected by heavy monsoon rains and floods in Pakistan’s most populous province, Punjab, the head of the national disaster management agency said on Friday.
Major General Saeed Aleem told a federal cabinet meeting that the death toll from rains and floods in Punjab has risen to 274, according to the state radio.
With the Chenab River in high spate, the districts of Jhang, Chiniot, and Hafizabad were the worst hit of the 10 districts affected by floods in the province.
The imminent passage of 600,000 to 700,000 cusecs of water from Panjnad Headworks is likely to inundate several areas including Rahim Yar Khan, Multan and Muzaffargarh districts.
A total of 18 helicopters and 574 boats are being used to rescue marooned people and 360 relief camps have been set up in the province.
Army relief and rescue operation were continuing in flood-hit areas in Jhang, Multan, Bahwalpur and Rahim Yar Khan districts, the Inter-Services Public Relations said in a statement.
Troops have dropped 52.176 tonnes of rations from helicopters in Jhang, Multan and Bahawalpur.
Since the start of flood relief operations, 29,295 people have been rescued by army troops using helicopters and boats.
