Punjab Floods Displace Millions as WHO Warns

The Punjab floods have displaced millions, triggered widespread disease outbreaks, and destroyed vast farmland across the province. Over 2.2 million people have been safely evacuated, but more than 4.2 million remain affected as rescue operations continue. The World Health Organization (WHO) has warned of “grave risks” of epidemics as relief efforts struggle to keep pace with the growing crisis.

Largest Rescue Operation in Punjab’s History

Senior Provincial Minister Marriyum Aurangzeb confirmed that the scale of the floods has made this the largest rescue and relief effort Punjab has ever seen. She reported that flooding has damaged 4,155 neighborhoods and claimed 56 lives so far.

The disaster has submerged around 1.496 million acres of crops, hitting agricultural communities hard. Floodwaters from the Chenab, Ravi, and Sutlej rivers inundated 625 areas in Punjab. Meanwhile, the Indus River overflowed in Sindh, displacing over 244,000 residents across 96 localities.

Relief Measures on the Ground

Aurangzeb outlined the government’s relief strategy. Authorities have set up 494 medical camps and 413 relief sites. Over 1.6 million livestock have been relocated, supported by 500 veterinary clinics. Since August 23, emergency teams have moved more than 2.2 million residents to safer areas.

She added that Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif is leading the operations herself. Mobile health vans, field hospitals, and mother-and-child health units are active across districts. Teams are distributing clean water, medicines, insulin, and food. Anti-mosquito drives are underway to prevent outbreaks, while heavy machinery is being used to divert water away from populated zones.

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Growing Health Crisis in Flood-Hit Areas

Despite these official reassurances, the reality on the ground tells a different story. In many districts, health facilities are overwhelmed. Medical staff struggle to cope with a surge of patients while facing shortages of supplies.

Doctors and aid workers report rising cases of diarrhea, skin infections, dengue, and malaria. In several camps, anti-malarial tablets and rabies vaccines have run out. A health worker in Narowal said they were treating dozens of patients in tents without enough medicines or equipment.

Millions Displaced and Crops Destroyed

Since late August, the Punjab floods have displaced more than two million people and submerged 2,000 villages. The destruction of rice, cotton, and sugarcane fields has deepened food insecurity across the province.

Locals in Hafizabad and Kasur complain of irregular relief supplies. Many families have yet to receive clean drinking water or medical assistance. Relief convoys, according to residents, often bypass remote villages entirely.

Disease Cases Rising Rapidly

Punjab’s health records paint a grim picture. Over 15,400 cases of dengue, malaria, diarrhea, and skin diseases have been recorded in the past month alone. Lahore has been hit the hardest, with over 9,000 new patients reported within 24 hours.

Since January, Punjab has logged 310 dengue cases, 79 of them in Lahore. Snakebites and dog bites add to the crisis, with nearly 100 snakebite cases and 167 dog-bite cases reported. These incidents highlight the dangerous living conditions in flood-affected communities.

WHO Sounds the Alarm

The World Health Organization has warned of the high risk of epidemics spreading across Punjab. The agency stressed the urgent need for clean drinking water, sanitation, and uninterrupted medicine supplies. Aid groups confirm that many relief camps remain unsanitary, with stagnant water serving as breeding grounds for mosquitoes. Cholera and dysentery are growing threats if conditions persist.

Government’s Preparedness Questioned

Punjab Health Minister Khawaja Imran Nazir maintains that the government is ready. He insists that “Clinics on Wheels” and medical teams are operating around the clock. According to him, all districts have been ordered to stockpile emergency supplies. The provincial government also claims that CM Maryam Nawaz Sharif is personally supervising the relief operation, with military support in multiple districts.

However, critics argue that the state response is reactive rather than preventive. Environmental analysts in Lahore say that heavy rains were forecast well in advance, but flood defenses and public health systems were not strengthened in time. “We are now watching preventable diseases spread while officials scramble,” one analyst remarked.

Climate Change Adds Pressure

Experts emphasize that climate change has made floods more severe and unpredictable. Punjab has received 26% more rainfall this monsoon compared to last year. The Meteorological Department says the increase exposed long-standing weaknesses in infrastructure and disaster planning.

The worsening weather patterns highlight the need for better preparedness. Without long-term planning, relief operations will always struggle to match the scale of such disasters.

A Public Health Emergency Unfolding

As floodwaters stagnate, the health crisis continues to deepen. The official promises of relief clash with survivor testimonies from Kasur, Hafizabad, and Narowal, where families live without clean water or proper healthcare. Aid organizations warn that without urgent measures, the Punjab floods could turn into a full-scale epidemic.

For now, the government pledges that “no patient will be left untreated.” But voices from the ground suggest a different reality—one where displaced communities fight disease, hunger, and uncertainty while waiting for sustained help to arrive.