Heavy monsoon rains expected from July 5 are causing concern in Punjab, Pakistan, as the Provincial Disaster Management Authority (PDMA) warns of rising water levels in all rivers and hill torrents.
The PDMA issued a report highlighting the increased risk of flash floods in Dera Ghazi Khan and urban flooding in major cities, including Lahore.PDMA Director General Irfan Ali Kathia has directed all deputy commissioners and disaster response teams to be on high alert.
The Provincial Control Room is operating 24/7, and emergency services like Rescue 1122 are also on standby.
Farmers have been advised to take precautions, and tourists are urged to avoid risky routes, especially in landslide-prone areas like Murree and Galliyat.The PDMA warns against staying in weak structures, venturing near floodwaters, and ignoring weather advisories.
The authority specifically highlights the dangers of lightning strikes, roof collapses, and the vulnerability of children near accumulated rainwater or floodwater.Intensified monsoon rains are forecast across Punjab from July 5 to 10, with heavy to very heavy rainfall expected in most districts.
The Met Office predicts strong monsoon currents coupled with a westerly wave will trigger widespread rains, windstorms, and thunderstorms, with the heaviest downpours anticipated in Rawalpindi, Lahore, Gujranwala, Faisalabad, and Sargodha.
Low-lying areas in major cities and hill torrents in DG Khan and northeastern Punjab are at risk of overflowing.The National Emergencies Operation Center (NEOC) has also issued multiple impact-based weather alerts for various regions of Pakistan until July 8, warning of the increased risk of flash floods, glacial lake outburst floods (GLOFs), and urban flooding.
The NEOC expects increased river flows across the country, particularly in the Kabul River Nowshera due to rising tributaries. Inflows into Tarbela Dam may reach the low flood limit.
The risk of GLOFs and landslides has also increased in Gilgit-Baltistan and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa due to high temperatures accelerating glacier and snow melt. The National Disaster Management Authority has urged the public to take precautionary measures.
