LAHORE: The Provincial Disaster Management Authority (PDMA) Punjab on Tuesday issued a weather advisory for the fourth spell of monsoon rains, forecasting widespread rainfall across most districts of the province from July 29 to August 5 and warning of urban flooding, flash floods and landslides in vulnerable areas.
According to the advisory, rain accompanied by wind and thundershowers, with isolated heavy to very heavy falls, is expected in Rawalpindi, Murree, Galiyat, Attock, Chakwal, Jhelum, Mandi Bahauddin, Gujrat, Gujranwala, Hafizabad, Wazirabad, Sialkot, Narowal, Lahore, Okara, Kasur, Sheikhupura, Nankana Sahib, Faisalabad, Jhang, Toba Tek Singh, Chiniot, Khushab, Mianwali, Layyah, Bhakkar, Noorpur Thal, Sargodha, Sahiwal and Pakpattan from July 29 to August 4, with occasional gaps.
The authority said another spell of rain and thundershowers is likely in Bahawalpur, Bahawalnagar, Rahim Yar Khan, Khanewal, Multan, Vehari, Lodhran, Muzaffargarh, Kot Addu, Dera Ghazi Khan and Rajanpur from July 31 to August 3.
The PDMA warned that urban flooding could occur in low-lying areas of Lahore, Rawalpindi, Gujranwala, Gujrat, Sialkot, Faisalabad and Multan, while Murree, Galiyat and other hilly areas face the risk of landslides. Heavy rainfall in the upper catchments may also increase flows in the eastern rivers and adjoining nullahs, raising the possibility of flash flooding in seasonal streams.
Director General PDMA Umar Mela said all commissioners and deputy commissioners had been directed to remain on high alert in line with the instructions of Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz. He said district administrations had been asked to ensure advance preparedness to deal with any emergency, particularly in major cities vulnerable to urban flooding.
The DG said the departments of health, irrigation, communications and works, local government and livestock had also been placed on alert. He directed the authorities to keep emergency staff and machinery ready, ensure timely desilting of drains, maintain close coordination among all relevant departments and ensure timely dissemination of weather advisories to the public.
Umar Mela urged citizens to adopt precautionary measures during the forecast period, avoid unnecessary travel during storms and stay away from rivers, streams and flooded roads. He advised people not to reside in dilapidated or mud houses, noting that a significant number of monsoon-related fatalities this season had resulted from the collapse of weak structures.
He also urged parents to keep children away from stagnant water, low-lying areas and electricity poles or hanging power lines, while advising the public to avoid open spaces during thunderstorms because of the risk of lightning strikes.
Meanwhile, in a separate update, the PDMA said water flows in Punjab’s rivers had generally declined over the past 24 hours. A low-level flood continued at Kalabagh and Taunsa on the Indus River, where water flows were recorded at 301,000 cusecs and 385,000 cusecs, respectively, although the flow at Taunsa Barrage remained normal.
The authority said the flood situation in the Chenab River continued to improve, with water flows at Marala, Khanki, Qadirabad, Trimmu and Panjnad returning to normal. Water levels in the Sutlej and Jhelum rivers were also reported to be within normal limits.
However, a low-level flood persisted at Balloki and Sidhnai on the Ravi River, where water flows were recorded at 63,000 cusecs and 53,000 cusecs, respectively, while flows at Jassar and Shahdara remained normal.
The PDMA further said Nala Palkhu in Wazirabad was experiencing a high flood, while Nala Basantar in Narowal remained at low flood level. Water flows were recorded at 4,000 cusecs in Nala Palkhu and 1,000 cusecs in Nala Basantar.
Umar Mela said river flows had increased due to rainfall in the upper catchments. However, with rainfall having subsided in the Chenab catchment areas, flood levels in the river had been receding steadily over the past 24 hours.
Meanwhile, light to moderate rainfall was recorded in different parts of Lahore on Tuesday afternoon. According to official data, Tajpura received the highest rainfall at 22mm, followed by Mughalpura with 15mm and Manawan with 6mm, while Lahore Airport and Nishtar Town recorded light drizzle.
Copyright Business Recorder, 2026