Rain, lightning claim 15 lives
At least 12 people have lost their lives because of the ongoing heavy rains and three by lightning in various areas of Punjab.
According to a flood alert fact sheet issued by the Provincial Disaster Management Authority (PDMA), rain was recorded in Lahore, Sargodha, Toba Tek Singh, Faisalabad, Kot Addu and Bahawalpur during the last 24 hours.
Due to the heavy rains, 12 people lost their lives and 27 others injured, while 14 houses were affected. The deceased included five children and three women.
Additionally, three people were killed by lightning in Narowal and Multan. Financial assistance will be provided to the bereaved families as per government guidelines.
The monsoon rains spell is expected to continue across the province until Monday.
The water flow in all the rivers and barrages of Punjab is currently at normal levels.
The water level in Mangla Dam is at 53 per cent of the capacity, while Tarbela Dam is at 74%.
PDMA Director General Irfan Ali Kathia stated that arrangements have been completed to address flood risks in vulnerable districts.
Flood relief camps have been established in mountainous areas due to the threat.
There is a risk of urban flooding in Lahore, Sialkot, Faisalabad and Gujranwala. The administration of major cities remains on high alert in view of the emergency situation. The PDMA Control Room and District Emergency Operation Centre are monitoring the situation round the clock.
In anticipation of further rains, the DG instructed the Water and Sanitation Agency (WASA) to ensure the drainage of water from low-lying areas.
The authorities have also been directed to eliminate encroachments from the channels of rivers and canals.
The citizens were advised to avoid unnecessary travel in bad weather and to keep away from electric wires and poles.
Meanwhile, Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif expressed profound sorrow and grief over the loss of lives due to collapse of roofs during the rains. She expressed her heartfelt sympathies and condolence with the bereaved families.
The CM appealed to the citizens to adopt preventive measures during torrential rains, including keeping themselves away from the electric installations to save themselves from being electrocuted.
The chief minister also expressed deep grief over the death of a nine-year-old child due to drowning in a pit of an under-construction flyover in Ahmedpur Sharqia.
She sought a report from the district administration and directed the authorities to ensure strict implementation of safety guidelines regarding the development projects.
Meanwhile, hot, humid and partly cloudy weather was experienced in Lahore on Saturday, while Meteorological Department predicted similar weather conditions for the next 24 hours.
The weather experts warned that heavy rains were expected in Sulaiman range. They said monsoon currents from Arabian Sea were penetrating upper and central parts of the country, while a trough of westerly wave was also affecting upper parts.
Rain, windstorm and thundershower are likely in northeast and eastern Punjab with heavy falls at isolated places.
The highest temperature in Lahore on Saturday was 36.2 degrees Celsius and minimum 21.8°C.
With additional input from APP