LAHORE, Pakistan: The Pakistan Army on Thursday conducted large-scale rescue and relief operations across flood-affected areas of Punjab province following torrential monsoon rains that have killed at least 63 people and caused widespread destruction.
According to the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR), the military media wing, army rescue teams, in collaboration with the Punjab police and civil administration, are evacuating stranded residents from inundated villages using helicopters and boats.
Operations are currently underway in severely affected areas of Jhelum district, including Rasool Nagar Khurd, Burhan Nala, Dhok Bhidar and Darapur.
Army personnel have distributed life jackets, food supplies, medical assistance and other essential relief items to those impacted by the floods.
The ISPR stated that more than 20 persons were rescued by helicopter on Thursday in the flood-ravaged areas of Jhelum.
The military has assured continuous support, stating, “The Pakistan Army will not leave the affected people alone in this trying time.”
Floodwaters have submerged several villages, including Nikka Khlaspur and Rajaroad, where dozens of livestock have reportedly been swept away.
Helicopter-based relief operations are ongoing in the Darapur area, with emergency teams distributing life-saving gear from the air.
Punjab Police have intensified relief efforts in all affected districts. In a statement, IG Dr Usman Anwar said that police units are shifting citizens to safety.
He added that Regional and District Police Officers are personally monitoring the situation, with command centres coordinating response efforts and regular patrolling being conducted in vulnerable villages along riverbanks.
Meanwhile, heavy rainfall continues to batter various districts of Punjab.
In Lahore, three people were killed when the roof of a house collapsed in the Akbari Gate area. In Faisalabad’s Iqbal Colony, a woman and her daughter died in a similar incident.
In Chiniot, rainfall brought down electric poles and wires onto railway tracks, disrupting train operations. Local authorities are working to restore services.
The twin cities of Islamabad and Rawalpindi, along with adjoining areas, have also received heavy rain.
Rawalpindi recorded 220 millimetres of rain, while Chakwal received an extraordinary 425 millimetres in a brief period due to a cloudburst, causing flash floods in surrounding areas.
