ISLAMABAD: Authorities in Pakistan’s Punjab province issued a flood alert on Tuesday, warning of rising water levels in the Chenab, Jhelum and Sutlej rivers, as well as potential urban flooding in Rawalpindi, Gujranwala and Lahore over the next 48 hours.
The alert follows weeks of heavy monsoon rains that have killed 288 people, including 136 children, and injured 690 since June 26, according to the latest data from the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA).
In the last 24 hours alone, seven deaths have been reported, six in Punjab due to separate house collapses and landslides, and one in Sindh, where a person drowned.
Provincial officials said low to moderate flooding is expected in the Chenab and Jhelum rivers between July 30 and 31, with a likely increase in water flow in the Sutlej River at Ganda Singh within the next 24 hours. Tributaries of the Ravi River may also experience flash floods, amid continued rainfall and upstream inflows.
“District commissioners have been directed to stay on high alert and ensure emergency staff, food and medical supplies are in place ahead of any evacuations,” said Irfan Ali Kathia, Director General of the Punjab Provincial Disaster Management Authority (PDMA).
“Rescue 1122 response teams must remain fully mobilized,” he added.
Kathia said emergency control rooms had been activated across the province, and that commissioners, deputy commissioners, WASA officials and line departments, including health, irrigation, agriculture, livestock and transport, had been instructed to finalize preparations under the provincial administration’s directives.
Alerts have been issued for multiple divisions including Rawalpindi, Sargodha, Faisalabad, Multan, Dera Ghazi Khan, Bahawalpur and Sahiwal.
District administrations in cities such as Lahore, Narowal, Gujrat, Jhelum, Muzaffargarh, Kasur and Rajanpur have also been asked to remain vigilant.
Authorities have urged residents in low-lying or riverbank settlements to follow precautionary guidelines and cooperate with local officials during any evacuation.
The PDMA has also stressed the importance of moving livestock to safer ground and ensuring food and clean water availability at flood relief camps.
