The Provincial Disaster Management Authority (PDMA) of Punjab has issued urgent warnings for potential flash floods in several cities, anticipating heavy monsoon rains from Monday to Thursday.
Cities at Risk: According to a notification by PDMA Punjab on social media platform X, the cities most vulnerable to flash floods include Rawalpindi, Attock, Jhelum, Chakwal, Mandi Bahauddin, Gujrat, Gujranwala, Hafizabad, Sheikhupura, Sialkot, Narowal, Sahiwal, Jhang, and Toba Tek Singh.
Weather Predictions: The PDMA highlighted that intense downpours and windstorms could pose a threat to the structural integrity of mud houses, electric poles, billboards, and solar panels. “Heavy rains may trigger flash floods in local nullahs and streams of Murree and Galliyat on July 23rd and 24th,” stated PDMA Punjab. Additionally, the heavy rainfall could lead to urban flooding in low-lying areas of Punjab on these dates.
Monsoon rains are also forecasted for the regions of Rawalpindi, Gujranwala, Sargodha, Multan, Dera Ghazi Khan, Bahawalpur, Lahore, Faisalabad, Sahiwal, and Gujrat.
Safety Recommendations: The PDMA has advised travelers and tourists to exercise caution and plan their journeys according to the weather conditions to avoid any incidents during the rainy period. Farmers are also urged to manage their activities based on the weather forecast.
Emergency Preparedness: Authorities in Punjab have been instructed to establish an efficient communication system via phone calls, SMS, and announcements to ensure timely dissemination of weather forecasts. Last week, heavy rains in Punjab resulted in the deaths of 12 people and caused injuries to 27 others, with 14 houses collapsing, according to a fact sheet issued by the provincial PDMA on July 13.
The Director General of PDMA Punjab, Irfan Khatia, mentioned that the monsoon from July 22 to 25 could bring heavy rain with thunderstorms, particularly in the southern districts of Punjab on July 23 and 24. “The situation is being monitored 24/7 in the PDMA control room, and the water levels in rivers and dams are currently normal,” he added.
