Heavy rainfall (424 mm) due to a cloudburst in Chakwal caused severe flooding in Jhelum. Under the supervision of Minister of State for Finance and Railways, Bilal Azhar Kayani, a large-scale rescue and relief operation has been underway for the past 24 hours, involving the Pakistan Army, district administration, and disaster management agencies.
The Minister of state Bilal Azhar Kiyani contacted Deputy Commissioner Jhelum, Maysam Abbas, on Thursday morning to assess the situation. Joint efforts by the administration and the Army rescued 29 stranded individuals in Dhok Marjan (35 km from Jhelum) via helicopters after rapid water flow rendered boats unusable.
Kiyani commended the Pakistan Army, district administration, and PDMA for their efforts. He confirmed that relief camps provide shelter, food, water, and medical aid to affected families. Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif is monitoring rescue operations across Punjab.
Jhelum recorded 100 mm of rainfall, but the cloudburst exacerbated flooding. A dedicated control room is operational, and authorities are monitoring dams and embankments. Damage assessments will begin once waters recede.
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