ISLAMABAD: The Provincial Disaster Management Authority (PDMA) in Punjab warned on Sunday that heavy monsoon rains from July 20-24 may trigger floods in major rivers such as Chenab, Jhelum, and Ravi, calling on authorities to remain alert to deal with potential disasters.
Pakistan has witnessed torrential rains during monsoon season since the past couple of years that have triggered floods, especially in its Punjab and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa provinces. Heavy rains during the monsoon season of 2025 killed over 1,000 people and forced authorities to evacuate millions of people and livestock from Punjab and KP, as floods wreaked havoc across the provinces.
In its flood alert on Sunday, PDMA Punjab said a westerly wave was approaching the province, coupled with a strong monsoon incursion from July 20-24.
“The Punjab Provincial Disaster Management Authority (PDMA) has issued a flood warning for the Chenab, Jhelum, Ravi rivers and their associated streams and nullahs,” the PDMA said in its report.
The alert also warned that high water flows were expected in River Kabul, which flows from Afghanistan into northwest Pakistan, and its associated tributaries.
“Flash flooding is expected in the hill torrents of D.G. Khan,” the PDMA said. “Urban flooding is also expected in Rawalpindi, Jhelum, Gujranwala. Sargodha, Khushab, Sialkot, Gujrat, Narowal, Lahore, Okara, Sahiwal, Bahawalnagar and Faisalabad.
The PDMA requested district administrations and various departments to ensure sufficient personnel were available round-the-clock for coordination and effective response.
It called for timely and accurate dissemination of information on safety measures and evacuation plans through electronic and social media.
The PDMA also urged authorities to ensure effective contingency planning and preparedness measures for urban flooding in monsoon season 2026.
“Deploy additional staff and resources to high-risk areas, ensure pre-position search and rescue teams along with necessary equipment,” the PDMA said.
Pakistan is cited as one of the most vulnerable countries to climate change effects by scientists. Climate Change Minister Musadik Malik said in May that the last four major floods across the country have killed over 6,000 people.
He said about 20,000 Pakistanis have either suffered injuries or been disabled by climate-induced floods, while 40 million have been displaced by them.
