Lahore – The Director General of the Punjab Provincial Disaster Management Authority (PDMA), Irfan Ali Kathia, confirmed on Wednesday that at least 20 people have died in the province due to ongoing floods, with the majority of fatalities linked to drowning incidents.
Speaking at a press briefing, Kathia said most of the deaths were reported from the Gujranwala division, one of the hardest-hit areas during the current flooding. He clarified that there had been no deaths caused by negligence in rescue operations, stressing that all possible efforts were being made to safeguard lives.
To support the families of the victims, the Punjab government has announced a compensation package of one million rupees per family. Kathia noted that the relief initiative was part of broader measures to provide financial assistance and ensure immediate recovery support for those most affected.
Highlighting the scale of the disaster response, Kathia said the PDMA had deployed extensive resources, including helicopters and rescue boats, to reach stranded residents in inundated areas. “We made every possible effort to rescue people, whether via helicopters or boats,” he stated, emphasizing the commitment of emergency teams on the ground.
The floods, caused by heavy monsoon rains and rising river levels, have devastated several parts of Punjab, damaging homes, displacing thousands, and disrupting local livelihoods. Authorities continue to monitor water levels closely, particularly in vulnerable districts, as further rainfall remains a possibility in the coming days.
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