Punjab has just endured one of the severe floods in recent memory. Triggered by relentless monsoon rains and compounded by sudden water releases from across the border, swollen rivers tore through fertile plains, submerging villages, displacing entire communities, and destroying livelihoods.

For many, it was a calamity of historic proportions. Yet, what followed was not the familiar tale of state paralysis but a remarkable display of governance, coordination, and resilience. Under the leadership of Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif, Punjab mounted what is being described as its most successful flood rescue and relief operation to date.

The first test was evacuation. District administrations, supported by the Pakistan Army, Rescue 1122, PDMA, police, and line departments, moved swiftly to shift families out of danger zones. The speed and efficiency of the rescue operation prevented what could have become a human catastrophe. Images of administration and rescuers carrying children and the elderly, through waist-deep waters, became emblematic of a state determined not to abandon its citizens.

Once immediate danger was contained, attention turned to relief. Camps were established across affected districts, providing temporary shelter, food, drinking water, and medical facilities. Mobile health units reached cut-off areas to prevent outbreaks of disease, while doctors and paramedics were deployed on an emergency footing. Veterinary teams were also dispatched to rescue livestock and provide fodder, recognizing that for rural communities, animals are not only economic assets but often the backbone of survival.

For the first time, technology played a visible role in flood response. Drones were deployed to identify stranded families and guide rescuers, adding precision to rescue missions and marking a step forward........

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