The Punjab government is actively considering precautionary measures to protect students and manage the ongoing flood crisis in the province. Punjab Chief Secretary Zahid Akhtar Zaman chaired a key meeting at the Punjab Disaster Management Authority (PDMA) committee room, focusing on strategies to support flood-affected districts and mitigate the impact of the monsoon floods on communities, infrastructure, and educational institutions.
During the meeting, officials decided to deploy additional administrative officers to flood-hit districts to strengthen local relief and coordination efforts.
One of the key measures under discussion was the temporary closure of schools in the most severely affected areas for a period of one week. This decision, still under consideration, aims to ensure the safety of students and staff while also allowing authorities to manage the situation on the ground effectively.
By suspending regular educational activities temporarily, the government hopes to reduce the risks posed by disrupted transportation, waterlogging, and other hazards resulting from heavy rains and rising floodwaters.
In addition to their primary role in education, many schools in Punjab have become makeshift shelters for displaced families. As floodwaters inundate villages and urban areas, these institutions have opened their doors to provide refuge to those who have lost their homes or are forced to evacuate.
Punjab Education Minister Rana Sikandar Hayat emphasized that schools are currently serving a dual role, both as centers for learning and as safe havens for affected populations. Families residing in these schools are receiving basic relief, including food, clean water, and emergency assistance, highlighting the critical role educational institutions play during natural disasters.
The government’s proactive approach reflects an understanding of the multi-faceted impact of floods. By integrating administrative deployment, precautionary school closures, and the use of schools as temporary shelters, Punjab authorities aim to ensure that relief efforts are organized, timely, and effective.
The deployment of additional officers is expected to improve coordination between district-level disaster management teams, local administrations, and relief organizations, thereby facilitating faster response and support to vulnerable communities.
As the situation evolves, the Punjab government continues to assess conditions daily, prioritizing both human safety and the continuity of essential services. Officials remain committed to minimizing the disruption caused by the floods while ensuring that affected families have access to shelter and necessary resources until conditions stabilize.
