Warns of rising river levels from July 20-24, with flash floods and urban flooding expected in Punjab towns
The Provincial Disaster Management Authority (PDMA) on Sunday warned of increased flood risk across Punjab as a strong monsoon, coupled with an approaching westerly wave, is expected to affect the catchment areas of major rivers from July 20 to 24.
According to a PDMA advisory, water flows in the province’s rivers are expected to increase significantly during this period.
“Low to medium floods are likely in the next 24 hours in the Chenab River at Marala and the Ravi River at Jassar, while high flood levels are expected in the Chenab River at Marala and the Jhelum upstream of Mangla between July 20 and 24,” it said.
The authority also warned of high flows in the Kabul River and its tributaries, as well as in several nullahs linked to the Jhelum, Chenab and Ravi river systems, including Dora, Dotta, Dowara, Bhimber, Halsi, Aik, Palkhu, Bein, Basanter, Deg and Sakki.
Read: PMD warns of heavy rains, flash floods and landslides across Pakistan from July 18 to 25
“Flash floods are expected in the Dera Ghazi Khan hill streams, while urban flooding may occur in Rawalpindi, Jhelum, Gujranwala, Sargodha, Khushab, Sialkot, Gujrat, Narowal, Lahore, Okara, Sahiwal, Bahawalnagar and Faisalabad,” PDMA added.
The PDMA has put on alert commissioners, deputy commissioners, officials of the Water and Sanitation Agency (WASA), Rescue 1122 and the departments of local government, agriculture, irrigation, health, forestry, animal husbandry and transport.
PDMA Director General Umar Abbas Mehla has directed district administrations to take precautionary measures as per the instructions of Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz. He ordered 24-hour manning of emergency control rooms, deployment of Rescue 1122 disaster response teams and adequate fuel stocks for rescue operations.
“The district administrations have also been directed to strengthen coordination with the PDMA and other departments, issue timely public safety and evacuation advisories, prepare for urban flooding, clear drainage systems, preposition heavy machinery at vulnerable locations and deploy additional personnel and resources to high-risk areas. The Motorway Police have been asked to regularly issue traffic advisories and updates on road conditions,” he adds.
The authorities were further instructed to ensure evacuation of people and livestock from river beds if necessary, establish relief camps with food, drinking water and other essential facilities, and keep the public informed of the developing situation.
The PDMA urged residents to follow official safety advisories, cooperate with authorities in the event of an evacuation, and contact the PDMA 1129 hotline in case of an emergency.
