Major Punjab cities risk urban flooding

Authorities in Punjab's major cities were on high alert on Sunday due to the looming threat of urban flooding as monsoon rains intensified across the region.

The Pakistan Meteorological Department (PMD) has predicted that heavy downpours are likely to continue until Monday (today), raising concerns about the potential for widespread flooding and related emergencies.

According to the PMD, rain, windstorms, and thundershowers, accompanied by heavy falls in certain areas, are expected in Kashmir, Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa, Punjab, the Potohar region, parts of Balochistan and Sindh, and Gilgit-Baltistan during the next 12 hours.

The ongoing monsoon spell has already triggered flash floods in low-lying areas, disrupting daily life and causing extensive damage.

The Punjab Provincial Disaster Management Authority (PDMA) has issued directives to all relevant departments to remain on high alert to tackle any emergencies that may arise.

The urban city administrations have been instructed to maintain a heightened state of readiness, with contingency plans in place to address any flooding incidents swiftly.

A PDMA spokesperson said that monsoon rains are likely to affect most districts in Punjab over the next 24 hours, with the wet spell expected to persist until August 12.

The heavy rainfall has already started to impact Lahore, where early morning downpours on Sunday inundated low-lying areas, leaving many residents struggling to cope with the sudden deluge.

Reports of torrential rain came in from various parts of Lahore, including Lakshmi Chowk, Abbott Road, Shimla Pahari, and Mall Road.

Additionally, areas such as Gulberg, Kalma Chowk, Jail Road, and Ferozepur Road experienced significant rainfall, leading to severe traffic disruptions and waterlogging.