LAHORE: The Provincial Disaster Management Authority (PDMA) on Tuesday warned of a fourth spell of monsoon rains, forecasting widespread heavy showers across Punjab from July 29 to August 5, resulting in urban flooding in major cities, landslides in hilly areas and possible flash floods in rivers and hill torrents.
According to the PDMA, during the upcoming monsoon spell, heavy rainfall is expected in Lahore, Kasur, Sheikhupura, Nankana Sahib, Faisalabad, Jhang, Toba Tek Singh, Chiniot, Khushab, Mianwali, Layyah, Bhakkar, Noorpur Thal, Sargodha, Sahiwal, Okara and Pakpattan.
It says Bahawalpur, Bahawalnagar, Rahim Yar Khan, Khanewal, Multan, Vehari, Lodhran, Muzaffargarh, Kot Addu, Dera Ghazi Khan and Rajanpur are also likely to receive rains between July 31 and August 3.
The authority further forecast heavy rainfall in Rawalpindi, Murree, Galiyat, Attock, Chakwal, Jhelum, Mandi Bahauddin, Gujrat, Gujranwala, Hafizabad, Wazirabad, Sialkot and Narowal.
The PDMA warns that urban flooding could occur in Lahore, Rawalpindi, Gujranwala, Gujrat, Sialkot, Faisalabad and Multan, while landslides were likely in Murree, Galiyat and other mountainous areas.
PDMA Director General Umar Mela says alerts have been issued to all commissioners and deputy commissioners across Punjab, directing the district administrations to complete all necessary arrangements to deal with possible emergencies.
He instructed the authorities to ensure preventive measures in view of the urban flooding threat in major cities and said all relevant departments, including health, irrigation, local government, communication and works, and livestock, are ready to ensure a prompt response in case of any emergency.
The PDMA chief said expected rainfall in the upper catchments could increase water flows in eastern rivers and adjoining hill torrents, raising the risk of flash flooding.
He urged people to avoid unnecessary travel during rainstorms, refrain from staying in dilapidated buildings, and keep children away from low-lying areas, accumulated rainwater and exposed electricity infrastructure.
He advised the public to contact the PDMA helpline 1129 for assistance in case of any emergency.
Meanwhile, the PDMA says the flow of water in Punjab’s rivers has declined gradually over the last 24 hours, with flood conditions improving in the river Chenab after rainfall subsided in the upper catchment areas.
According to the authority, a low-level flood persists in the river Indus at Kalabagh and Taunsa, where water flows were recorded at 301,000 cusecs and 385,000 cusecs, respectively, although the flow at Taunsa Barrage remained within normal limits.
The PDMA says the water levels at Marala, Khanki, Qadirabad, Trimmu and Panjnad headworks on the river Chenab have returned to normal, while flows in the Sutlej and Jhelum rivers also remain normal.
It adds that a low-level flood continues at Baloki and Sidhnai headworks on the river Ravi, where water flows were recorded at 63,000 cusecs and 53,000 cusecs, respectively, while the situation at Jassar and Shahdara remained normal.
The authority also reported a high-level flood at Palkhu Nullah in Wazirabad, where the water flow stood at 4,000 cusecs, and a low-level flood at Basantar Nullah in Narowal with a flow of 1,000 cusecs.
Mr Mela says the government has completed arrangements in vulnerable areas and that flood relief camps are well-equipped to provide shelter, food, medicines and other basic facilities to people, if required.
He urged residents of flood-prone areas to move to safer places and avoid recreational activities near rivers, canals and streams.
He also advised people to use only safe boats and life jackets while crossing rivers and to prevent children from swimming in rivers and canals during the monsoon season.
Published in Dawn, July 29th, 2026
