Monsoon rains trigger widespread flooding across Punjab

Heavy monsoon rains have pushed river levels across Punjab to dangerous highs, inundating villages, destroying crops, and cutting off ground access in several districts. Local authorities have established flood relief camps, while rescue teams continue evacuations as the Meteorological Department warns of further rainfall and flash flooding over the coming days.

According to the Punjab Disaster Management Authority (PDMA), the province is currently experiencing the seventh spell of monsoon rains, which is forecast to continue until Aug. 23.

Officials cautioned that cloudbursts remain possible in Rawalpindi, Murree, Galliyat, Jhelum, Chakwal, and Attock, while heavy downpours are expected across major urban centers including Lahore, Sialkot, Faisalabad, and Multan.

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In Kasur, the Sutlej River has risen sharply, submerging dozens of villages and vast tracts of farmland. PDMA officials reported water discharge at the Ganda Singh Wala headworks reached 75,000 cusecs. Authorities warned that additional water releases from India’s Harike Headworks could intensify flooding, further endangering communities downstream.

The surge has destroyed standing crops, damaged hundreds of acres of agricultural land, and displaced scores of families. Rescue 1122 teams have deployed boats to move stranded residents, while flood relief camps are providing food, medical care, and fodder for livestock.

In Bahawalnagar, breaches in protective embankments have allowed floodwaters to spread into villages, prompting the district administration to impose Section 144 to restrict civilian movement along riverbanks.

Similar conditions were reported in Chiniot, where the Chenab River has reached low flood levels, and in Kundian, where the Indus River is flowing at medium flood stage.

In Narowal’s Zafarwal tehsil, the Dek Nullah swelled with more than 22,000 cusecs of water, flooding nearby villages and damaging homes. Relief camps were established at multiple sites, and evacuation warnings were broadcast in low-lying communities.

Officials also said India’s release of additional water into the Sutlej has heightened risks in Chishtian, where sugarcane and cotton fields have already been affected. Farmers warned that further inundation could cause catastrophic economic losses.

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The Pakistan Meteorological Department issued a red alert, warning of heavy rains capable of generating flash floods in streams and nullahs across Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Kashmir, Gilgit-Baltistan, the Pothohar region, Dera Ghazi Khan, and northeastern Balochistan. Urban flooding remains a major concern for low-lying areas of Lahore, Rawalpindi, Islamabad, Peshawar, and parts of southeastern Sindh.

Authorities also warned of landslides and mudslides in hilly regions including Murree, Galliyat, Kashmir, and Gilgit-Baltistan. Strong winds and lightning could damage weak structures such as thatched homes, power poles, and roadside billboards, officials said.

At a meeting chaired by Provincial Disaster Management Committee head Khawaja Salman Rafique, officials directed continuous monitoring of river flows and reaffirmed that Section 144 will remain in place around vulnerable riverbanks.

Authorities appealed to the public to follow evacuation orders, avoid unnecessary travel, and remain alert to rapidly changing weather conditions.

The Punjab tourism department also issued an advisory restricting entry to rivers, streams, and other high-risk areas. Emergency control rooms have been set up at tourist and heritage sites, while rescue staff have been placed on high alert. Travelers were urged to check weather updates before setting out and to call emergency numbers in case of danger.

Rainfall data

Over the past 24 hours, heavy rainfall was recorded in several parts of Punjab. Islamabad received up to 76 millimeters at Golra and 75 millimeters at Saidpur, while Rawalpindi recorded 53 millimeters at Chaklala. Jhelum, Sialkot, Mangla, and Mandi Bahauddin also reported significant rainfall. Heavy showers were also measured in Tharparkar, Barkhan, and parts of Kashmir.

Meteorologists said moist currents from both the Arabian Sea and Bay of Bengal, coupled with a westerly wave, are fuelling the ongoing system. Rain and thunderstorms are forecast to continue through early next week, with the heaviest falls expected in northern Punjab, Pothohar, upper Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, and northeastern Balochistan.

Punjab tourism department issues advisory

The recent spell not only has the local population been hit hard, but the damage has also extended to popular tourist destinations. Roads and bridges in several valleys have collapsed, disrupting travel, while hotels and guesthouses in certain areas have also suffered considerable losses.

In response, the Punjab Tourism Department has issued a province-wide advisory to ensure public safety at all tourist sites. According to the advisory, all field offices have been instructed to remain in close coordination with district administrations and emergency operation centers for a timely response to any crisis.

Emergency control rooms are being established at historic and tourist sites; focal persons are being appointed to maintain immediate contact with rescue agencies, and staff are directed to remain on alert, trained in first aid and emergency response.