Heavy downpours early Wednesday morning flooded low-lying areas in Lahore and several other cities across Punjab, disrupting daily life and electricity supply in several neighbourhoods.
Dozens of power feeders tripped as water accumulated on roads, severely impacting mobility and local infrastructure. In Lahore, intense rainfall drenched areas including Mall Road, Lakshmi Chowk, Upper Mall, Chauburji, Mozang, Ferozepur Road, Nishtar Town, Jail Road, Tajpura, Faisal Town, Iqbal Town, Garden Town, Johar Town, Township, and Canal Road. Several underpasses and streets were submerged, overwhelming drainage systems.
Similar conditions were reported from other parts of Punjab, including Faisalabad, Khanewal, Hafizabad, Mian Channu, Muridke, Jhang, and Kalabagh, where rainwater inundated streets and residential neighbourhoods.
The National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) issued an alert forecasting continued monsoon rains across most of the country through July 25.
Punjab Provincial Disaster Management Authority (PDMA) Director General Irfan Ali Kathia directed all deputy commissioners to ensure that relevant departments remain on high alert. Emergency preparations, including deployment of machinery and personnel, are to be completed, while provincial and district-level emergency operation centres have been instructed to remain operational around the clock.
Rescue 1122, WASA and other emergency agencies have been instructed to expedite drainage in affected areas and maintain readiness for any potential rescue operations. The PDMA advised citizens to stay away from electric poles and hanging wires, avoid unstable buildings, and report emergencies to the 1122 helpline immediately.
According to the Met Office, the current monsoon spell is expected to continue until July 25, with heavy to very heavy rainfall predicted in parts of upper Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa, Gilgit-Baltistan, Pothohar region, northeast Punjab, and Kashmir. Strong winds, lightning and downpours could cause damage to weak structures, electric poles, and solar installations. In the last 24 hours, significant rainfall was recorded in several areas. Attock received 133mm, while Lahore airport measured 104mm and the city centre 67mm of rainfall. Narowal, Sheikhupura, Mangla, Joharabad, and other cities also experienced substantial precipitation.
However, according to an official statement, rainwater drainage from roads in Lahore was completed in a few hours after the torrential rain. The rain had continued for several hours. Major roads of the city were drained immediately. The drainage process was also completed at Karim Block, Shadman, Wahdat Road, Ichhra, GC University Road, Old Campus, Nasir Bagh, DC Office Road and other roads.
Meanwhile, Punjab Governor Sardar Saleem Haider Khan said while talking to the media during his visit to the flood-affected areas in Jhelum that a comprehensive survey would be conducted to identify areas in need, and relief efforts would be extended to flood victims accordingly. The governor urged the government to declare Jhelum, Chakwal, and other rain-affected areas as disaster zones to facilitate targeted support.
He said he had cancelled his official and private engagements due to the situation caused by the flash floods in different areas of the province.
The governor said the Pakistan People's Party workers had been directed to provide all possible support to the flood victims.
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