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LAHORE: The Provincial Disaster Management Authority (PDMA) has issued a weather alert ahead of the fifth spell of monsoon rains, expected to begin on July 28 and continue through July 31, affecting most parts of the province.
According to a PDMA spokesperson, widespread rainfall is forecast across northern and central Punjab. Districts likely to be affected include Murree, Galiyat, Attock, Chakwal, Jhelum, Mandi Bahauddin, Gujrat, Gujranwala, and Hafizabad, as well as Lahore, Sheikhupura, Sialkot, Narowal, Sahiwal, and Jhang.
Further showers are expected in Toba Tek Singh, Khushab, Sargodha, Mianwali, Nankana Sahib, Chiniot, Faisalabad, and Okara. From July 29 to 31, rain is also predicted in Dera Ghazi Khan, Bahawalpur, Bhakkar, Khanewal, Pakpattan, Vehari, Lodhran, Muzaffargarh, and Rajanpur.
Relief Commissioner Nabeel Javed has directed all deputy commissioners to remain vigilant, citing significantly higher rainfall this monsoon season – 73% more than last year. He emphasized that all relevant departments must stay on alert to manage potential emergencies.
Residents are advised to follow official safety guidelines, especially in Murree and Galiyat, where landslide risks are elevated due to persistent heavy rainfall.
Fatalities Across Pakistan
Recent weeks have seen a devastating rise in casualties nationwide due to heavy rainfalls. As of July 23, the total death toll stood at 252, with 139 fatalities reported in Punjab alone, alongside significant losses in other provinces and territories.
Leading causes included house collapses, flash floods, drowning, lightning strikes, electrocution, and landslides, with more than 600 people injured across the country.
Significantly, in a 24-hour span prior to July 20, at least 13 more lives were lost, 12 in Punjab and one in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, bringing the cumulative national toll to over 200. These tragedies occurred amid collapsing homes, surging floodwaters, and vulnerable infrastructure.
The ongoing crisis has left hundreds of families displaced, while rescue and relief operations continue under challenging conditions.
