LAHORE: The Punjab Disaster Management Authority (PDMA) has forecast heavy rains across most districts of the province starting from Saturday.
The PDMA has directed commissioners and deputy commissioners across the province to remain on high alert.
According to a PDMA spokesperson, rainfall is expected in Rawalpindi, Murree, Galiyat, Attock, Chakwal, Jhelum, Gujranwala, Lahore, Gujrat, and Sialkot, as well as in Narowal, Hafizabad, Mandi Bahauddin, Okara, Sahiwal, Kasur, Jhang, Sargodha, and Mianwali.
Multan, Dera Ghazi Khan, and Rajanpur are also likely to receive rain. From September 6 to 9, flash floods are feared in the hill torrents of Dera Ghazi Khan.
PDMA Director General Irfan Ali Kathia said flood conditions persist in the Chenab, Ravi, and Sutlej rivers, while heavy downpours in major cities could swell local streams and drains.
Villages inundated as Chenab, Sutlej face high floods
The PDMA has directed departments including health, irrigation, communications and works, local government and livestock to remain on alert. The 10th spell of monsoon rains is expected to continue until September 9.
Kathia urged citizens to adopt precautionary measures during the bad weather, avoid gathering near rivers or engaging in recreational activities, and stay in safe places during storms. People have been advised to avoid unnecessary travel and to call PDMA helpline 1129 in case of emergency.
Flood toll reaches 50; over 2 million people rescued
Speaking to the media in Lahore, the PDMA chief said the recent floods in Punjab caused the worst damage in Sialkot and Gujrat, where urban flooding was triggered at four different points due to the overflow of Nullah Bregadier.
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He said the Punjab chief minister visited Gujrat and released funds for the affected areas, while heavy machinery from Lahore and Rawalpindi was deployed to speed up drainage operations.
According to Kathia, the situation in Gujrat improved significantly within 12 to 14 hours, and no fresh flood alerts have been issued for any river over the next 18 to 22 hours.
The water level in the Sutlej is receding, dropping from 300,000 to 200,000 cusecs at Harike, with similar declines recorded at Ganda Singh. Conditions are stabilising at Jassar, Siphon, Shahdara, and Sidhnai.
He added that water levels in Multan are also falling, with the dyke at Sher Shah closed. The flow at Panjnad is currently 300,000 cusecs, which could peak at 600,000 cusecs, reaching Guddu Barrage within the next 24 hours.
On relief operations, Kathia said Pakistan Army has rescued over 2.017 million people, while nearly 1.5 million livestock have been shifted to safe areas. Around 470,000 people are being provided facilities in relief camps, with special arrangements in place for Rabi-ul-Awwal.
He confirmed that 50 people have lost their lives in the floods, and the affected families will each receive financial assistance of Rs1 million.
High flood persists in Sutlej
After another release of floodwater from India, high flood levels continue in the Sutlej River, worsening conditions in low-lying areas.
According to the Flood Forecasting Division, water flow at Head Ganda Singh Wala was recorded at 353,825 cusecs.
The report noted rising water levels at other points of the Sutlej as well: inflow and outflow at Head Sulemanki stood at 132,916 cusecs, while at Jamlera near Burewala, the flow reached 160,000 cusecs. At Head Islam, it was recorded at 103,465 cusecs, and at Mailsi Head Siphon, 93,343 cusecs.
The Flood Forecasting Division, Lahore, also confirmed high flood in the Ravi River, where the flow at Head Balloki surged to 157,000 cusecs, though a decline was recorded at Head Sidhnai, where the flow dropped to 101,000 cusecs.
The situation in the Chenab River remains critical, with flow at Chiniot rising to 448,000 cusecs — categorised as a high flood. Meanwhile, low flood has been reported at Guddu, Sukkur, and Kotri barrages on the Indus River.
Authorities have instructed local administrations to remain alert and intensify precautionary measures.