LAHORE:Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif on Sunday directed her Special Assistant Shoaib Mirza to visit areas affected by river erosion in Layyah and oversee relief and rescue operations.
Mirza accordingly visited Mauza Samra Nasheeb on the outskirts of Layyah and inspected areas affected by river erosion. He also met affected residents, heard their concerns and assessed the losses caused by the erosion.
The authorities were also directed to take immediate measures to mitigate the losses and remove all hurdles in rescue and relief operations.
According to a handout, the chief minister directed the authorities to take immediate measures to mitigate the losses and remove all hurdles in rescue and relief operations. She also summoned officials of the irrigation department and the Provincial Disaster Management Authority (PDMA) to the affected area.
Relief and rescue operation launched on CM’s direction
Necessary machinery was mobilised for relief and rescue operations, while PDMA officials also reached Samra Nasheeb. The special assistant supervised the shifting of residents and their belongings to safer locations.
Food and other essential supplies have been arranged for affected families, while dry ration is also being distributed.
A special committee has been constituted to assess the damage caused by river erosion. The committee will determine losses to farmers’ land, houses and other property and submit a report to the CM.
Mirza said the flood situation in erosion-hit areas was being continuously monitored and the Punjab government would provide all available resources and required machinery to ensure the safety of the people.
EROSION: Around 100,000 people were displaced and thousands of dwellings swept away due to relentless erosion caused by the river Indus during the last one week.
The worst-affected areas are around Samara Nasheeb, where residents say the river is rapidly eroding its bank and changing course towards populated areas. They fear further destruction if the river enters Lala Creek.
Residents said thousands of families had been forced to leave their homes and were now living in tents or under open sky.
They complained that despite the scale of devastation, elected representatives remained largely absent from the affected areas and the displaced population was struggling to receive adequate assistance.
The affected areas include at least 10 union councils and a number of settlements, including Karor, Sehar, Samara Nasheeb, Lohanch, Gishkori Nasheeb, Basti Shado Khan, Kotla Haji Shah, Jhoke Hassan, Alyani, Sikhani, Jismani, Kunjal, Meerani, Wandar, Gurmani and areas inhabited by the Syed tribe, among others.
A report regarding the worsening situation in Samara Nasheeb was submitted to Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz by the Special Assistant to the Chief Minister Inspection Team.
The chief minister directed the chief engineers of irrigation Dera Ghazi Khan and Sargodha to immediately reach the affected sites, assess the situation and take necessary measures to control the erosion.Layyah Deputy Commissioner Asif Ali Dogar directed relevant departments to ensure the provision of food, ration, healthcare facilities and transportation to the needy.
He also ordered continuous monitoring of the situation.
On Sunday, steps were taken to prevent river erosion. PDMA Director-General Saif Anwar Jappa reached Samra Nasheeb, Basti Kinjal Layyah.
Published in Dawn, August 24th, 2026
