Punjab Senior Minister Marriyum Aurangzeb said on Sunday that the province is facing an extraordinary crisis due to the worst floods in its history. Speaking at a press conference in Lahore, she noted that the rivers Ravi, Sutlej, and Chenab are witnessing the heaviest flooding in decades.

She emphasized that Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz is personally overseeing relief measures to protect lives.

According to Marriyum, more than 20 million people have been affected, with 7.5 million shifted to safer areas.

Around 500,000 animals have also been relocated, while over 400 veterinary hospitals have been set up to provide care.

She added that schools and civil defence offices have been designated as shelters for flood-hit families

Nearly 150,000 people have been rescued by boats.

At Ravi Bridge, water flow has surged to about 500,000 cusecs, with similar alarming levels reported at Khanki, Qadirabad, and Ganda Singh Wala on the Sutlej.

“The entire government is on its toes at the moment,” Marriyum said, stressing that the “government’s topmost priority is to prevent any loss of life.”

Marriyum said that Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz had directed all MNAs and MPAs to remain in their respective constituencies to help flood victims.

The minister said that the Punjab CM would visit flood-affected areas of Kasur today.

Marriyum said that the Punjab government would look after the belongings of people who were evacuated from their homes.

She said that no one caused any harm to the relief camps, established by Al-Khidmat Foundation.

Marriyum said that more dams would be built in Punjab, and currently, a plan had been forwarded to the Asian Development Bank (ADB).