Over 4.1 million people affected across 4,100 villages in Punjab floods

More than 4.1 million people across 4,100 villages have been affected by floods sweeping through 25 districts in Pakistan’s Punjab province, according to authorities.

The Provincial Disaster Management Authority (PDMA) chief said at least 56 people have died since Aug 26.

Pakistani media outlet The Dawn reported that at a press conference in Lahore, PDMA Director General Irfan Ali Kathia said a total of 41,051,118 people have been affected in the villages, and 425 relief camps have been set up for them.

He added that around 500 medical camps had been established, where around 175,000 people had been treated.

The total people rescued and relocated to safe spots so far are 20,073,048, while 15,022,452 cattle had been taken to safety.

Kathia said water levels in the three main rivers of the Punjab have started to show a declining trend. Although the decline is not rapid, he confirmed there were no signs of rising levels.

The Pakistani Ministry of Water Resources said neighbouring India had warned Pakistan that areas in Harike and Firozpur could see “high-level” flooding in the lower reaches of the Sutlej River.

Following the alert, the PDMA issued a statement cautioning that water levels in the Sutlej could rise.