Torrential rains, flash floods, landslide warnings issued for Punjab as monsoons continue
The Provincial Disaster Management Authority (PDMA)'s fresh warning comes as the country's National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) said on Monday the nationwide monsoon death toll had hit 111 since June 26, including 40 fatalities in Punjab, Pakistan's most populous province. Another 212 people have been injured in rain-related incidents across the country.
The annual monsoon season, which brings 70 to 80 percent of South Asia's rainfall, is vital for agriculture and the livelihoods of millions of farmers but increasingly brings devastation due to erratic and extreme weather. Pakistan remains among the world's most climate-vulnerable nations, with memories still raw from the 2022 floods that killed over 1,700 people and submerged a third of the country, causing over $33 million in economic losses.
'PDMA's provincial control room and district emergency operation centers have been put on alert,' a PDMA spokesperson said in a statement on Tuesday. 'There are chances of heavy rain in upper river catchments, including Lahore and the northern regions, which could lead to flash floods.'
The PDMA said the fresh wet spell, driven by a low-pressure area over India's Madhya Pradesh state, is expected to affect upper and central parts of Pakistan in the coming days. Strong monsoon currents and a westerly wave could intensify rainfall, especially in Rawalpindi, Murree, Galiyat, Dera Ghazi Khan and northeastern Punjab.
According to the latest alert, low-lying urban areas face risks of flooding in Lahore, Rawalpindi, Gujranwala, Sialkot, Faisalabad and other cities. The hilly regions of Murree and Galiyat could see landslides, while strong winds and lightning may damage vulnerable structures such as rooftops of mud houses, electric poles, billboards and vehicles.
The Director General of PDMA Punjab, Irfan Ali Kathia, has instructed district administrations to keep staff and machinery on high alert, ensure drainage channels stay clear and monitor low-lying areas to prevent urban flooding.
'WASA and municipal bodies must ensure that rainwater does not accumulate,' Kathia said. 'Field officers should remain present and supervise operations.'
Residents, tourists and travelers have been urged to avoid unnecessary exposure during the stormy spell and to seek safe shelter where possible. In case of emergency, citizens can call the PDMA helpline at 1129.
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