An intense spell of monsoon rains has triggered flood alerts across multiple regions in Pakistan, with the Provincial Disaster Management Authority (PDMA) Punjab issuing a warning that the fourth phase of the monsoon will continue until July 25 and is expected to be even more powerful than previous ones. Urban flooding risks have been flagged for Rawalpindi and Islamabad, where rain emergencies have been declared and concerned departments placed on high alert. 

PDMA has issued warnings for widespread rainfall in cities including Rawalpindi, Murree, Galiyat, Attock, Chakwal, Mandi Bahauddin, Hafizabad, Gujrat, Jhelum, Gujranwala, Lahore, Faisalabad, Sialkot, Narowal, Toba Tek Singh, Jhang, Sargodha, Mianwali, DG Khan, Bahawalpur, Bahawalnagar, and Multan. Lahore is expected to receive thunderstorms and heavy showers over the next four days, while Karachi is also likely to witness rainfall today, with the forecast indicating more rain across parts of Sindh, Punjab, and Balochistan.

 Continuous rainfall has caused the River Sutlej to swell dangerously, and at Arifwala, floodwaters have entered nearby fields, damaging large swathes of sesame and maize crops. In areas of Arifwala like Dhola Patan, rapid river flow is causing severe soil erosion. Water is now inching closer to populated regions. However, no official flood emergency has yet been declared by the government.

 Meanwhile, more than 12 villages in Kashmore’s katcha area have been submerged due to flooding, causing heavy destruction to standing crops of rice, sugarcane, and moong beans. Water levels in the Indus River at Guddu Barrage have slightly declined, but a flood wave from Chashma Barrage has reached Taunsa. Similarly, flash floods have been reported in the Poonch River in Kotli, Azad Kashmir. 

Authorities report that Mangla Dam is currently 49% full, Tarbela Dam is at 79% capacity, and the spillways of Rawal Dam will be reopened again today to manage inflow. PDMA Punjab Director General Irfan Ali Kathia warned that continuous rains in upper catchment areas are likely to cause a sharp increase in river flows, especially in Ravi, Jhelum, Sutlej, and Chenab. He confirmed that a flood alert has been issued for Punjab's rivers and streams.

At present, the Indus River at Tarbela, Kalabagh, and Chashma is experiencing a low-level flood. Punjab Police have been directed to increase patrolling around rivers and nullahs, while private housing societies have been warned to ensure proper drainage systems or face strict action. PDMA revealed that 135 people have died and 479 have been injured due to rain-related incidents across Punjab in the current monsoon season.

Credit: Independent News Pakistan (INP)