A powerful new monsoon spell has pummeled cities across Pakistan on Tuesday, triggering widespread flooding and landslides in many areas. According to the reports, heavy downpours in Punjab and other provinces have raised alarm bells as rivers and streams overflow, prompting authorities to issue emergency alerts. The opening of Terbela Dam’s spillways has exacerbated the situation, causing the Indus River to swell.

A major flood surge hit Wador Nala in Dera Ghazi Khan, while Shakargarh’s Bein stream also overflowed. In Haripur, intense rainfall triggered landslides, blocking several roads and cutting off dozens of villages from Tehsil Ghazi. In KP’s Swabi district, roads were inundated due to continuous rain, while flash floods surged through the Washuk region of Balochistan, adding to the crisis.

With heavy rainfall predicted to continue until July 10, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif placed the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) and all administrative units on high alert. The PM also directed authorities to prepare for potential flood scenarios due to the Tarbela spillway operation and instructed immediate public warnings in at-risk areas. Lahore experienced intense early morning downpours, turning the weather pleasant but flooding several low-lying neighbourhoods.

Areas such as Model Town, Kalma Chowk, Achhra, Muslim Town, Garden Town, and Shahdara were submerged. In Shahkam Jaliyana village, the roof of an old house collapsed due to rain, trapping 57-year-old Saira under the debris. She was rescued alive by emergency teams and shifted in critical condition to Indus Hospital, Jubilee Town.

The Pakistan Meteorological Department forecast more heavy rainfall for Lahore and adjoining areas. Other cities, including Nankana Sahib, Farooqabad, Mananwala, and Shahkot, also saw thunderstorms that cooled temperatures but led to power outages after multiple feeders tripped. According to PDMA data, Lahore recorded 40 mm of rainfall, Gujranwala 6 mm, Murree 5 mm, Faisalabad 4 mm, Sialkot 2 mm, and Mandi Bahauddin 1 mm, while Sheikhupura topped the list with 48 mm.

Rain was also reported in Attock, Toba Tek Singh, Bahawalnagar, Kasur, and Bahawalpur. PDMA spokesperson stated that the ongoing monsoon spell may persist until July 10, with severe rainfall expected over the next 24 hours across Punjab. DG PDMA Irfan Ali Kathia urged citizens to remain indoors during thunderstorms and call PDMA’s emergency helpline 1129 in case of emergencies.

Meanwhile, Islamabad experienced partly cloudy weather, with some areas likely to receive thundershowers today. Yesterday’s rain brought down the capital’s temperature significantly, with a recorded low of 26°C in the morning and an expected high of 30°C. Humidity reached 92%, with wind blowing at 15 km/h.

Credit: Independent News Pakistan (INP)