ISLAMABAD: Authorities in Pakistan’s Punjab province issued a flood alert on Tuesday, warning of rising water levels in the Chenab, Jhelum and Sutlej rivers, as well as potential urban flooding in Rawalpindi, Gujranwala and Lahore over the next 48 hours.

The alert follows weeks of heavy monsoon rains that have killed 288 people, including 136 children, and injured 690 since June 26, according to the latest data from the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA).

In the last 24 hours alone, seven deaths have been reported, six in Punjab due to separate house collapses and landslides, and one in Sindh, where a person drowned.

Provincial officials said low to moderate flooding is expected in the Chenab and Jhelum rivers between July 30 and 31, with a likely increase in water flow in the Sutlej River at Ganda Singh within the next 24 hours. Tributaries of the Ravi River may also experience flash floods, amid continued rainfall and upstream inflows.

“District commissioners have been directed to stay on high alert and ensure emergency staff, food and medical supplies are in place ahead of any evacuations,” said Irfan Ali Kathia, Director General of the Punjab Provincial Disaster Management Authority (PDMA).

“Rescue 1122 response teams must remain fully mobilized,” he added.

Kathia said emergency control rooms had been activated across the province, and that commissioners, deputy commissioners, WASA officials and line departments, including health, irrigation, agriculture, livestock and transport, had been instructed to finalize preparations under the provincial administration’s directives.

Alerts have been issued for multiple divisions including Rawalpindi, Sargodha, Faisalabad, Multan, Dera Ghazi Khan, Bahawalpur and Sahiwal.

District administrations in cities such as Lahore, Narowal, Gujrat, Jhelum, Muzaffargarh, Kasur and Rajanpur have also been asked to remain vigilant.

Authorities have urged residents in low-lying or riverbank settlements to follow precautionary guidelines and cooperate with local officials during any evacuation.

The PDMA has also stressed the importance of moving livestock to safer ground and ensuring food and clean water availability at flood relief camps.
 

ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif granted a cheque for Rs5 million [$17,655] for Pakistani mixed martial arts (MMA) fighter Shahzaib Rind on Tuesday, the premier’s office said days after the athlete criticized the government for not fulfilling its commitment of providing him monetary reward and support. 

Rind took to social media platform X on July 23 to say that Sharif had promised him a sum of Rs5 million [$17,630] and Rs80 million [$282,080] to support the athlete’s training camp and upcoming fights last year. In a video message, the MMA fighter had said Sharif promised him the rewards after he beat Indian fighter Rana Singh at the Karate Combat 45 competition in Dubai last year. 

However, the Pakistani fighter said the government did not fulfill its promise to him. Information Minister Attaullah Tarar apologized to Rind on Twitter last week, promising him that the prime minister would resolve the issue soon. 

Sharif met Rind’s father Khair Muhammad at the Prime Minister’s House on Tuesday during which he presented the cheque to him, Sharif’s office said. 

“During the meeting, the prime minister expressed his best wishes for Shahzaib Rind in his upcoming competitions,” the statement said. 

Rind, who hails from the impoverished southwestern Balochistan province, won his first martial arts title in 2011 after claiming victory in a provincial-level competition. His first national title came in 2019 when he triumphed at the National Games in the northwestern Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province.

During the two-and-a-half years of an undefeated Karate Combat career, Rind has fought fighters from North America, Peru, Venezuela, Brazil, France and India.