Punjab CM Maryam Nawaz Reviews Flood Situation in Jhang, Orders Use of Advanced Technology in Rescue Ops

JHANG; Chief Minister Punjab Maryam Nawaz on Monday visited the flood-affected areas of Jhang and reached Trimmu Barrage to assess the critical flood situation. The visit comes as Punjab faces one of the most challenging flood emergencies in recent years, driven by unprecedented monsoon rains and rising river levels.

During her visit, Maryam Nawaz received a detailed briefing inside the SCADA control room from Commissioner Faisalabad Jahangir Anwar and Deputy Commissioner Jhang Ali Akbar. Officials informed her that the largest-ever water flow in the history of Trimmu Barrage had been recorded, but timely preventive measures ensured that major urban centers, including Multan, were spared from large-scale devastation.

Authorities revealed that nearly 298,000 people were safely evacuated from Jhang prior to the flood surge, while more than 119,000 livestock were shifted to secure shelters. As many as 102 veterinary workers are currently engaged in providing treatment and care for the displaced animals. In addition, 21 relief camps have been set up to accommodate displaced families, with around 750 flood victims currently residing there. Overall, 181 villages of Jhang district have been affected by floodwaters.

CM Maryam Nawaz directed that rescue and relief operations should continue until the last stranded person is reached. She further ordered the use of advanced tools such as drones and thermal imaging cameras to locate and assist victims in remote and inaccessible areas.

Speaking to media and officials, the Punjab CM reaffirmed her government’s commitment to the flood-hit communities: “Wherever help is needed, the government of Punjab will ensure it reaches immediately,” she said, emphasizing both humanitarian assistance and long-term rehabilitation plans.

The visit by Maryam Nawaz, her first major on-ground inspection since taking charge as Punjab’s Chief Minister, underscores her administration’s priority to tackle climate-driven disasters more effectively, a challenge that has repeatedly tested Pakistan’s disaster management capacity in recent years.