LAHORE: With over 4,000 homes destroyed and several thousand people rendered homeless across central and northern Pakistan, the catastrophic floods on Tuesday were dubbed as the deadliest in the country’s history by the chief minister of the worst-hit province.

As army and civilian rescue agencies mounted mass relief efforts to get villagers to safety with the help of helicopters and boats, Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif on a visit to flood-hit areas in Punjab told reporters the flood were the “deadliest in the history of Pakistan”.

“It is our responsibility to save every life, I have asked all political workers to go in the field and serve people,” he added.

While the 2014 floods have caused mass devastation, the country’s most devastating floods in recorded history remain to be the 2010 disaster, which killed more than 2,000 people and affected 18 million – more than a tenth of the country's population.

On his tour of Jalalpur Bhattian of Hafizabad district today, Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif advised relief workers to ensure safety of the locals.

The high levels of flood with the combined thrust of Chenab, Jhelum and Ravi has reached Trimmu Headwork, where the discharge of flood water is continuously being monitored for reducing the impact of floods on population at risk, a press statement released by National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) said.

According to reports, flooding has submerged entire villages and ruined crops. Over 2,500 villages are partially or completely submerged across the Kashmir area, while thousands of people are stranded on rooftops waiting to be rescued.

Also read: Is Pakistan ready for a monsoon catastrophe?

Satellite image shows flood pattern in the region. — Photo by NDMA

Floods in Punjab

At least eight people died, while several others were injured as roof of a mosque collapsed in Lahore. Relief efforts to rescue those stranded under the rubble were underway.

According to figures provided by NDMA, Punjab was the most heavily-hit province in the country due to floods with at least 156 deaths reported, 265 houses damaged and 1,337 villages affected.

A huge amount of flood water has accumulated in the Qadirabad headworks on River Chenab whereas the Trimmu Barrage is receiving 177,000 cusecs water on River Chenab, said NDMA official Ahmed Kamal.

Kamal said if the level of water crossed the present danger mark, spillway gates of Trimmo Barrage will have to be thrown open.

The exceptionally high flood level may continue until September 12, the Pakistan Meteorological Department stated in a press release.

As a consequence, Sargodha, Khushab, Jhang and Toba Tek Singh districts are likely to be inundated.

Floods in Gilgit Baltistan, Azad Jammu and Kashmir

Azad Jammu and Kashmir suffered massive devastation due flooding in the Jhelum river affected more than 120 villages. At least 64 deaths were reported, whereas 2,132 houses were also damaged.

Spokesperson for NDMA Ahmed Kamal has said that 30,034 people in Azad Kashmir have been affected due to rain and flood.

Earlier, Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif had visited Azad Jammu and Kashmir on Monday to witness the losses caused by rains and floods in the region.

Addressing a ceremony in Rawalakot, he had assured the AJK authorities of his government’s full support in mitigating the suffering of those affected by the flooding.

“The government stands by you and is trying its best to alleviate your suffering,” the Prime Minister had said.

On the other hand, at least 11 deaths were reported in Gilgit Baltistan, with two houses reported to be fully damaged.

Relief efforts in progress

Twelve helicopters and 574 boats were deployed for rescue mission in flood-hit areas. Over 18,227 persons were evacuated and 29,930 vaccinated from the flood-hit areas.

Over 2,000 army personnel have also been deployed for rescue and relief efforts.

Ten thousand tents, 31 boats, 100 life jackets to government of Punjab and 200 tents, 1,000 blankets and three rubber boats to Islamabad Capital Territory. In addition, 3,000 tents, 3,000 blankets and 1,500 plastic mats have also been dispatched, the NDMA press statement said.

COAS visits flood-affected areas

The Chief of Army Staff General Raheel Sharif visited flood affected areas near Qadirabad, Director General Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) Asim Bajwa said.

According to ISPR, on-duty army officials briefed the army chief regarding relief efforts.

Weather prediction for next 24 hours

According to NDMA, scattered thundershowers with isolated heavy falls are expected over Southeast Sindh, whereas isolated thundershowers are expected over Rawalpindi, Gujranwala, Malakand, Hazara, Peshawar, Bannu and Kohat Divisions, Mehmand, Bajaur and Waziristan Agencies, Gilgit Baltistan & Kashmir.