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Express Tribune
21 hours ago
- Climate
- Express Tribune
Monsoon rains set to intensify
The fifth spell of monsoon rains of the ongoing season is set to begin across Punjab and continue through July 31, prompting alerts and emergency preparations across the province, officials said. According to the Provincial Disaster Management Authority (PDMA), heavy rainfall is expected in various districts of northern, central, and South Punjab, including Rawalpindi, Murree, Galliyat, Attock, Chakwal, Mandi Bahauddin, Jhelum, Gujrat, Gujranwala, Hafizabad, Lahore, Faisalabad, Narowal, Sialkot, Jhang, Toba Tek Singh, Sargodha, Mianwali, Multan, Dera Ghazi Khan, Bahawalpur and Bahawalnagar. The PDMA has warned of potential urban flooding in low-lying areas due to drainage overload. "The monsoon system may cause flooding in Punjab's rivers and streams," said PDMA Director General Irfan Ali Kathia. He added that water levels in the Ravi, Chenab, Sutlej, and Jhelum rivers could rise significantly during this period. The Indus River is already experiencing a medium-level flood at Taunsa Barrage, where water flow has reached 410,000 cusecs. Low-level floods are also being reported at Tarbela, Kalabagh, and Chashma. The Punjab chief minister has ordered all district administrations to remain on high alert. Deputy commissioners have been directed to stay in the field and enforce Section 144 to restrict risky public movement around rivers and drains. Police have been instructed to increase patrolling near water bodies. Municipal bodies, WASA, and Rescue 1122 have been placed on standby, with orders to ensure immediate drainage from low-lying areas, deploy staff and equipment at chokepoints, and keep pumping stations and generators operational. Private housing societies have been warned to eliminate water ponding or face legal action. The chief minister emphasised that these societies are solely responsible for managing their own drainage. The PDMA also released a monsoon fact sheet, detailing rainfall statistics, river and reservoir water levels, and overall flood risk. The statement confirmed that light rain was recorded in Sialkot over the past 24 hours, and predicted more rain in most districts in the coming days. No casualties were reported from the latest rainfall, but the monsoon season has already claimed 152 lives in Punjab this year.
Arab News
3 days ago
- Climate
- Arab News
Pakistan warns of more monsoon rains next week as death toll reaches 271
ISLAMABAD: Pakistan's state media on Sunday forecast more rain and likely flooding in several parts of the country from next week, as the death toll from monsoon downpours since late June reached 271. Intense monsoon rains have battered Punjab, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP), Sindh, Balochistan, Azad Kashmir, Gilgit-Baltistan and Islamabad since June 26, causing urban floods and glacial lake outburst floods in several parts of the country. Pakistan has received above-normal rainfall this monsoon season, raising concerns of a repeat of the devastating 2022 floods that submerged a third of the country and killed 1,737 people. 'More monsoon rains with wind-thundershower have been predicted across the country from tomorrow (Monday),' state broadcaster Radio Pakistan reported. According to the Met Office, a westerly wave is also expected to approach on Tuesday. The state broadcaster warned heavy rains may generate flash floods in local nullahs and streams across the country, adding that torrential rains may cause urban flooding in low-lying areas of major cities. 'Landslides and mudslides may cause road closures in the vulnerable hilly areas of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Gilgit-Baltistan, Murree, Galliyat, and Kashmir during the forecast period,' it added. Keeping in mind the rain forecast, the Punjab Disaster Management Authority (PDMA) has issued a flood warning for the Chenab and Jhelum rivers and their adjoining tributaries. The disaster management authority cautioned the public and authorities of possible low to medium-level flooding from Monday to July 31. It warned of an 'unusual rise' in water levels in both rivers, urging authorities to take preemptive measures. Monsoon rains have wreaked havoc across Pakistan, killing 271 and injuring 655 since June 26. As per the NDMA's latest situation report, Punjab has reported the highest number of deaths with 145 killed, followed by Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) with 63 casualties, Sindh with 25 deaths, Balochistan with 20, the northern Gilgit-Baltistan region with eight deaths, Islamabad with eight and Azad Kashmir region reporting two deaths. In total, 1,191 houses have been damaged, and 367 livestock have perished due to rain-related incidents since June 26.
Hans India
5 days ago
- Climate
- Hans India
Monsoon fury claims 18 more lives in Pakistan
Islamabad: Eighteen more people have lost their lives across Pakistan as torrential monsoon continues to batter several areas of the country, triggering devastating floods and storms. The National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) issued a warning predicting continued rainfall across most parts of the country through July 25, leading Pakistani daily, The Express Tribune reports. At least 13 people were killed in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (K-P) province, while 10-15 people were swept away in Pakistan-occupied Gilgit-Baltistan. According to the Provincial Disaster Management Authority (PDMA) statement on Wednesday, among the 13 deceased in K-P province, nine are children, three women and one man. In addition, three others, including two children and one woman, were injured due to rain-related incidents. PDMA's preliminary damage report detailed that at least 19 houses sustained damage, with 17 partially damaged and two completely destroyed across the province. The incidents occurred in several districts of the province, including Swat, Buner, Bajaur, Torghar, Upper Kohistan, Mardan, Kurram, Haripur, Mansehra, Upper Chitral, Malakand, and Shangla, local media reports stated. Over the past 48 hours, the Swat district was the worst-affected as flash floods and the collapse of a house killed six children and one woman, and injured another woman and child. Additionally, in Buner, three casualties were recorded due to heavy rainfall accompanied by thunder and lightning. A woman and her child died after being hit by lightning, while an eight-year-old boy was washed away during the heavy downpour. The dead body was later recovered by the PDMA. The Pakistan Meteorological Department (PMD) on Wednesday issued a nationwide alert on widespread rain, wind, and thundershowers, and warned of heavy to heavy rainfalls in several regions, raising concerns over potential flash floods, urban flooding, and landslides. Heavy downpours have also raised fears of urban flooding in low-lying areas of Islamabad, Rawalpindi, Gujranwala, Lahore, Sialkot, Sargodha, Faisalabad, Okara, Nowshera, and Peshawar. Meanwhile, heavy downpours early Wednesday morning submerged low-lying areas in Lahore and several other cities across Punjab province, hampering daily activities and electricity supply in multiple neighbourhoods. Furthermore, rainfall also disrupted dozens of power feeders as water accumulated on major roads, severely affecting mobility and local infrastructure. Relentless rainfall also lashed Lahore, inundating several underpasses and streets, crippling the drainage systems.
Business Recorder
6 days ago
- Health
- Business Recorder
CM Maryam pays surprise visit to DHQ Hospital Nankana Sahib
LAHORE: Chief Minister Punjab Maryam Nawaz Sharif paid a surprise visit to District Headquarters Hospital from DC office Nankana Sahib. She visited the emergency and other wards of the DHQ Hospital and inquired from the patients and attendants about the facilities being provided in the hospital. She inquired about provision of free medicines from every patient and checked the hospital slips. She appreciated the installation of a board displaying availability of medicines and its quantity in the Main Waiting Room of the hospital. She checked the time of arrival, diagnosis and provision of medicines of the patients. She appreciated the diagnosis of every patient within an average of one and a half hours along with provision of medicines. Earlier, the CM Maryam Nawaz Sharif reached the villages of Nankana Sahib to review the post-flood situation. She made a marathon visit stretching about a two-and-a-half-hour tour of Nankana Sahib City and suburban villages. She announced the construction of two flood drains in Nankana Sahib to protect people against devastating flood torrents. She directed an early completion of roads in Nankana Sahib and other development projects. She sought the beautification plan of Nankana Sahib within two weeks and further directed the issuance of funds in this regard at the earliest. She announced an increase in the number of electric buses for Nankana Sahib district. She reiterated her commitment for making Nankana Sahib a model city. She directed to ensure making zebra crossings and installing signboards in front of the school and directed to control the prices of 'Roti'. The CM directed to increase the number of clinics-on-wheels for Nankana Sahib and directed to improve the city's entrance routes, roads and build better shoulder roads on the sides of the city's main road. She also directed to include Dafar Khokhran and other villages in the Model Village Scheme. She visited the flood-affected areas in Jaslani Mor and inspected flood-affected houses and agricultural land. She launched the distribution of relief goods by PDMA in Miranpur village. PDMA is providing special kits, mosquito nets and clothing to the flood-affected families. She interacted with the flood victims. An elderly woman prayed for the wellbeing of Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif for making an announcement of building a model village. She shook hands with all the women turn by turn and said, 'I have come to meet you, I have to converse with you as well'. She also visited the areas of Dholar Chowk, Gurdwara Janm Asthan Chowk, DPS Chowk, Berry Chowk, Chungi Chowk, Railway Road, Peer Ahmad Shah Road and Mananwala Phatak in Nankana Sahib. Seeing the Chief Minister, the public gathered in a large number and children came closer to her. She presented gifts of sweets to the children, talked to them, showed her affection to them. She inquired from the public about the administration's measures regarding provision of relief to the flood-affected people during floodwaters and torrential rains. She met with the members of parliament belonging to Nankana Sahib at the Deputy Commissioner's Office. Deputy Commissioner Nankana Sahib gave a detailed briefing about the flood situation and ongoing development projects. It was informed in the briefing that 1525 acres of land was submerged due to overflowing of rivers and canals in Nankana Sahib. About 22 villages in Nankana Sahib were affected by the flood. More than 20,000 encroachments were removed. Total 1194 special people were given 'Himmat Cards'. The CM directed to increase the number of beneficiaries of 'Himmat Card' scheme in Nankana Sahib. 788 loans have been granted under the 'Apni Chhat, Apna Ghar' project in Nankana Sahib and 400 houses are under construction. 176 green tractors were given on subsidy, while wheat farmers got 20 tractors free of cost. 267 livestock, 1,715 minority cards were given in Nankana Sahib and 242 agricultural tube wells are included in the solar scheme. She directed the relevant stakeholders to redress the loss of farmers whose crops were badly affected due to flood torrents. She directed provision of financial assistance to the residents of mud houses which collapsed due to the flood torrents, adding that grabbing of any land by the land mafia will tantamount to the failure of the relevant Deputy Commissioner and Commissioner. She underscored, 'It is heart rending to see the treatment being meted out to the people of Punjab in the past. I am deeply concerned about resolving the issues of the general public on a priority basis. Serving the people is not a favour to anyone as it is my duty.' Copyright Business Recorder, 2025
Business Recorder
7 days ago
- Climate
- Business Recorder
Water flow in rivers increasing
LAHORE: Water flow in rivers is increasing due to monsoon rains and glacier melting. There is low-level flooding in the Indus River at Tarbela, Kalabagh, Chashma and Taunsa. Water flow in the Ravi, Jhelum and Sutlej rivers is at normal level. Director General PDMA Irfan Ali Kathia said that there is low-level flooding in the Chenab River at Khanki. The inflow of water at Khanki is 120,000 while the outflow is 116,000 cusecs. The water flow in the Chenab River at Marala, Qadirabad and Trimon is normal. The inflow of water at Kalabagh is 332,000 while the outflow is 324,000 cusecs. The inflow of water at Taunsa is 363,000 while the outflow is 357,000 cusecs. The water flow at Tarbela is 350,000 cusecs. The water inflow at Chashma is 340,000 and the outflow is 320,000. There is a risk of flooding in major rivers and their adjacent streams of Punjab from July 22 to 24. The water flow in Dera Ghazi Khan rivers and canals is normal. DG PDMA Irfan Ali Kathia has issued instructions to the administration of the concerned districts to remain alert. Director General PDMA Irfan Ali Kathia said that in view of the possible flood threat, arrangements are complete in vulnerable districts. The water level in Mangla Dam is 50 percent, in Tarbela it is 79 percent. The water level in Indian dams on Sutlej, Beas and Ravi is up to 36 percent. PDMA Control Room and District Emergency Operation Centres are monitoring the situation 24/7. The public is requested to take precautionary measures during the rainy season. Avoid unnecessary travel in bad weather. Avoid touching electric wires and poles. In case of emergency, call PDMA helpline 1129. Copyright Business Recorder, 2025
