CM Punjab puts province on high alert for flood threat

Heavy monsoon rains pushed river levels across Punjab to dangerous highs, inundating villages, destroying crops, and cutting off ground access in several districts as the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) on Sunday issued an emergency alert following forecasts of a fresh monsoon spell this week.

Special measures have been ordered for Upper Punjab, Koh-e-Sulaiman, and River Ravi areas, where flooding risks remain high. Administrations of Murree, Rawalpindi, Jhelum, Chakwal, and Koh-e-Sulaiman have been asked to adopt precautionary steps. To reduce risks, tourist movement in Murree and adjoining areas will be restricted due to fears of cloudbursts, landslides, and torrential rains. Boats, life jackets, and other emergency equipment have been placed for vulnerable river populations.

Maryam Nawaz also announced a complete ban on bathing in rivers, canals, and streams amid flood fears. Police patrolling has been made mandatory along riversides to enforce safety rules. Parents have been urged to keep children away from water channels to avoid accidents. According to the Met Office, a strong monsoon system over upper Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Punjab, and Kashmir is expected to bring heavy rainfall, thunderstorms, and possible flooding. Districts like Mardan, Swat, Mansehra, Peshawar, Abbottabad, Kohistan, and Muzaffarabad are likely to experience downpours.

PDMA Punjab has already issued a flood warning for August 17–23, warning of sudden cloudbursts and widespread heavy rains in Upper Punjab. Meanwhile, Sindh and Balochistan have also been forecasted to face heavy rain, landslides, and flooding. Authorities have urged tourists to postpone travel to hilly areas until conditions improve. Islamabad and Rawalpindi administrations have declared a rain emergency after intense showers disrupted daily life.