Ravaging floods in Punjab have begun to retreat, revealing a haunting scene of destruction, with homes and structures left in shambles. Yet, for numerous reasons, the challenging path to restoration has not commenced.
The floods have unleashed terrifying ruin across Punjab, with Lahore especially impacted, seeing 26 localities in five tehsils affected. A staggering 82,952 people have suffered losses, and 36,658 have been displaced from their homes.
In Alipur, the devastation extends to several villages, notably Lashari, Chanjan, Maysar, and Chandia. Regions such as Khan Garh Doimah, Sitpur, Lati Madi, Choki Gabol, and Azmatpur have been severely impacted, while areas like Gulwan Doim, Choki Gabol, Mari, and others remain submerged.
Even though the water at Minchanabad on the Sutlej River is receding, restoration has yet to begin. Life in Bahramka Hathar, one of the affected villages, has not returned to normalcy.
In and around Minchanabad, more than 15 villages remain inaccessible by road, as floodwaters persist at depths of five to seven feet, devastating hundreds of acres of farmland.
The situation has deteriorated in Uch Sharif and Ahmed Pur Sharqia as well, where 36 localities in Uch Sharif face demolished homes and thousands of acres are affected.
With floodwaters in the Sutlej wreaking havoc across 67 localities of Minchanabad, a significant 56,374 people across a 76 km river stretch have been affected, and over 20 villages lack land access even today.
In Chishtian, 47 localities have been engulfed by floods, leading to destroyed homes and mass displacement of people.
In Shujaabad, the village of So Mun has been decimated, with hundreds of homes reduced to ruins, leaving thousands homeless.
Arifwala too bears witness to widespread devastation; many of its villages are destroyed, homes crumbled to dust.
Adding to the chaos, the motorway near Jalalpur Pirwala is inundated, forcing the closure of the M-5 highway.