22,000 Pakistanis rescued from floods

ISLAMABAD, Sept. 11 (UPI) -- The Pakistani army said Thursday that it rescued no less than 22,000 people trapped by floods that have devastated the country.

Monsoons flooded the main river of Chenab, destroying the agricultural infrastructure of Punjab.

The army began using helicopters and boats to rescue people and rush supplies after civilian authorities notified the military it could no longer respond to the flooding.

"Army troops have rescued 22,000 stranded people in the flood waters from various areas of Punjab and [Pakistan-occupied] Kashmir to safer places by army helicopters and boats," military officials said in a statement. They noted the operation had been going on since Sept. 5.

Over 250 people have been reported dead from the floods, one million are affected in Punjab and another million are being evacuated from low-lying areas.