Rescue 1122 Relocates Over 200,000 People as Punjab Floods Worsen

LAHORE: Rescue 1122 confirmed on Thursday that more than 200,000 people have been safely relocated from flood-hit regions across Punjab, as authorities expanded relief operations in response to worsening conditions.

The number of operational rescue boats has been increased from 800 to 1,500, enabling faster and wider coverage of affected districts. Officials said the step was aimed at protecting lives and property as floodwaters continued to rise.

Spokesperson Farooq Ahmed said more than 1.292 million people and 799,000 individuals remain under institutional supervision, while over 1,000 animals have also been evacuated in advance, reflecting the scale of ongoing operations.

^{Photos via Samina Hafeez Malik on X}

Earlier

Since late August, relentless monsoon rains and waters released from Indian dams have driven the Ravi, Chenab, and Sutlej rivers to record levels, triggering what officials describe as Punjab’s worst flooding since 1988.

So far, over two million people have been displaced across more than 2,200 villages, with more than 506 relief camps established and examined flood flow levels remaining critically high.

Global Context

Climate experts warn that intensifying monsoon cycles, fueled by climate change, are increasing the frequency and severity of floods across South Asia. Coordinated cross-border water management and investments in resilient infrastructure are being urged by international agencies to reduce the long-term impact of such disasters.