LAHORE: Torrential rains drenched several cities across Punjab, triggering flash floods in local streams and leaving low-lying areas waterlogged.
According to weather reports, heavy downpours were recorded in Lahor, Multan, Faisalabad, Bahawalpur, Chiniot, Rahim Yar Khan, Lodhran, Rajanpur, Jhang, Khushab, and Sargodha, disrupting daily life and traffic flow in many areas.
In Sindh’s Tharparkar region, rainfall brought much-needed relief, turning the weather pleasant after a long spell of dryness.
Meanwhile, in Hangu (Khyber Pakhtunkhwa), a man lost his life when the roof of his house collapsed during the rain. Local authorities have urged residents in vulnerable structures to exercise caution as unstable weather conditions persist.
The relentless downpour in the Koh-e-Suleman mountainous region has caused several hill torrents to swell dangerously. The Flood Control Room reports a high-level flood in the Chhachhar seasonal nullah, where a formidable flow of 48,901 cusecs was recorded.
Consequently, flood alerts have been issued for all affected seasonal nullahs, with urgent warnings being broadcast to communities in close proximity to these waterways, urging them to exercise extreme caution.
Further details from the Flood Control Room indicate significant water flows in other critical nullahs Kaha Sultan registered 5,647 cusecs, Pattok 4,629 cusecs, Zangi 5,547 cusecs, Suri North 3,340 cusecs, and Kalabagh 1,340 cusecs.
Concurrently, water levels in the River Indus continue to rise steadily, with a considerable 361,741 cusecs of water currently passing through Kot Mithan. The recent heavy rainfall has also led to an increased flow in the River Ravi. This rise in river levels has caused distress among farmers in the riverine belts, as their cultivated crops have been submerged and washed away.
The PMD has forecast continued rainfall for today across various regions, including parts of Punjab, northeastern Balochistan, upper Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Kashmir, and Gilgit-Baltistan.
In response to the escalating situation, the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) has issued a rain and potential flood threat alert for Punjab, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP), and Balochistan, valid until July 17. Authorities are urging residents in vulnerable areas to remain vigilant and take necessary precautions.
