Rains trigger widespread flooding

LAHORE:

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. According to the Punjab Disaster Management Authority (PDMA), the province is 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 in major urban centres, including Lahore, Sialkot, Faisalabad and Multan.

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 reaching 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 reached low flood levels, and in Kundian, where the Indus River is flowing in medium flood.

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 had heightened risks in Chishtian, where sugarcane and cotton fields have already been affected. Farmers warned that further inundation could cause major economic losses.

The Pakistan Meteorological Department issued a red alert, warning of heavy rains generating flash floods in streams in the Pothohar region and Dera Ghazi Khan.

Urban flooding remains a major concern for low-lying areas of Lahore and Rawalpindi.

Authorities also warned of landslides and mudslides in hilly regions. 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, continuous monitoring of river flows was ordered. It was 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.

PDMA Director General Irfan Ali Kathia said citizens living in dilapidated buildings were also being shifted to safe places.

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.

Over the past 24 hours, heavy rainfall was recorded in several parts of Punjab. Rawalpindi recorded 53 millimetres of rainfall at Chaklala. Jhelum, Sialkot, Mangla and Mandi Bahauddin also reported significant rainfall.

Boats, life jackets and other equipment have been provided to people living around waterways.