Heavy Monsoon Rain Expected Across Punjab, Flood Alerts Issued

Punjab is bracing for heavy monsoon rain expected to last through July 25, with the fourth, and reportedly strongest, spell of the season hitting today.

Rainfall is likely across much of the province—from Rawalpindi and Murree to Lahore, Faisalabad, Multan, and Dera Ghazi Khan—with authorities warning that this wave could outpace earlier ones.

The PDMA has issued flood alerts for the Ravi, Jhelum, Sutlej, and Chenab rivers, while the Indus River at Taunsa is already seeing moderate flooding, and low-level flooding continues at Tarbela, Kalabagh, and Chashma.

Deaths from rain-related incidents have climbed: at least 13 more fatalities in the past 24 hours raise the national toll since June 26 to 216, with 135 in Punjab alone. Most victims perished due to collapsed roofs, floods, lightning, and electrocutions. Over 579 people in Punjab have also been injured, and nearly 800 homes destroyed in this monsoon season.

Under direction from CM Maryam Nawaz, the PDMA, Rescue 1122, WASA, and district administrations are on high alert. Machinery has been positioned at key drainage points, Section 144 enforced near rivers, generators staged at disposal stations, and relief camps activated.

With flooding threats rising in both rural and urban areas, citizens are being urged to avoid travel in flood-prone zones, stay away from water channels, heed evacuation orders, and follow safety advisories.