Finance Minister Muhammad Aurangzeb has stated that a committee has been formed to assess the losses of farmers affected by the floods, and that the government will also discuss flood recovery efforts with the International Monetary Fund (IMF).

During his visit to flood-affected areas in Kamalia and Toba Tek Singh on Sunday, Aurangzeb said that Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has waived electricity bills to provide relief to the victims, adding that paying electricity bills was not easy for flood victims.

“At this moment, the most important task is the rehabilitation of the flood victims,” the minister emphasised.

Aurangzeb stated that a comprehensive rescue and relief operation has been carried out for those affected by the floods, adding that water levels have started to recede in the affected areas.

Roads and bridges have been damaged by the heavy rains and floods, the minister added.

Aurangzeb said that efforts have been made above political considerations, and that the country is progressing, with foreign investment coming in and the economy moving toward improvement.

Aurangzeb added that a climate and agricultural emergency has already been declared, and under this emergency, “we will do whatever is necessary.”

The minister interacted with the local media during the visit and highlighted the ongoing relief and rescue efforts in the area, according to a statement issued by the Finance Ministry.

He said that the government was making all-out efforts to deal with the aftermath of the floods that had ravaged different parts of the country.

Water inflow continues to rise

Meanwhile, the water inflow in the Indus River at Guddu, Sukkur, and Kotri barrages in Sindh continued to rise as the floodwaters from Punjab entered Sindh, the Flood Forecasting Division said in a report.

According to the FFD, a high-level flood has been recorded at the Guddu Barrage, with the water flow increasing to 561,000 cusecs, while a moderate-level flood has been recorded at the Sukkur Barrage, with the inflow reaching 480,000 cusecs.

A low-level flood was registered at the Kotri Barrage, with a flow of 271,000 cusecs recorded.

There has been a slight decrease in the water inflow at Kot Mithan (Rajanpur) and Chachran Sharif on the Indus River, and the water level has dropped to 11.5 feet.

In the Chenab River, the water flow at the Head Panjnad continued to decrease, but it remained at an extremely high flood level, with the flow close to 460,000 cusecs.

There was a moderate-level flood in the Sutlej River at Ganda Singh Wala and Head Islam, while a low-level flood was recorded at Head Sulemanki.

In the Ravi River, the flow at Head Sidhnai has decreased and has now turned into a low-level flood.