A state of emergency has been declared in several districts of Punjab as heavy rains triggered flooding, the spokesperson Water and Sanitation Agency (WASA) said on Thursday.
At least 28 people were killed and 90 others injured in rain and storms across Punjab between Tuesday and Wednesday. The Pakistan Meteorological Department (PMD) on Monday issued a warning of torrential rains with wind-thundershowers that will last throughout the country till July 17.
Pakistan experiences Monsoon rainfall from June to September every year. The heavy rains also trigger deadly floods, landslides and displacement, particularly in vulnerable, poorly drained, or densely populated areas.
Director General Punjab WASA Tayyab Farid said that “rivers have overflowed due to heavy rains in Rawalpindi, Chakwal and surrounding areas,” leading to a flood situation.
Rescue teams are on alert in the field to deal with the emergency, he added.
Citizens have been advised to avoid unnecessary travel, stay away from power lines and open manholes, said DG WASA.
According to the Rescue Punjab spokesperson Farooq Ahmed, heavy rains have left 33 dead across the province today, while another 176 people have been injured.
13 people have died in Lahore, eight in Faisalabad, four in Pakpattan, three in Sheikhupura and Okara and one person each in Nankana Sahib and Sahiwal,“ said the Rescue Punjab spokesperson.
Chakwal records 400mm of rain in 10 hours
Punjab’s Chakwal district recorded 400 millimetres of rain overnight due to a cloudburst, triggering flash floods across the city, a statement from the Provincial Disaster Management Authority (PDMA) on Thursday.
PDMA Spokesperson Irfan Ali Kathia district said, “Chawkwal recorded 400mm of rain in 10 hours, which left many areas flooded.”
He said water has begun to recede with the cessation of the downpour, and evacuation efforts are underway to rescue the trapped citizens.
The district administration has been alerted, while the relevant rescue departments, including Water and Sanitation Agencies (WASA), Rescue 1122, and other civil personnel, have been summoned to the field to oversee rescue efforts, according to District Commissioner Chakwal, Quratul Ain Malik.
In light of the situation, relief arrangements have been made in hospitals and public buildings, Malik said.
Meanwhile, the PDMA spokesperson Kathia added that the district administration was in contact with the military as well in case of additional support.
“The PDMA assured the district administration of support in rescue and relief efforts and is personally overseeing the rescue operation until all citizens are safely evacuated,” Kathia said. “The district administration is continuing to monitor the situation, particularly in low-lying areas.”
District Emergency Operation Centre, including the PDMA Control Room, are on high alert, he said, adding that “helicopters and other rescue resources are also on standby.”
Flood alert issued for areas of Rawalpindi
Meanwhile, PMD on Thursday issued a flood alert for the Gawalmandi bridge in Rawalpindi as the water level in the Leh Nullah continued to rise due to heavy rains.
PMD also indicated that the Kattarian bridge could face flooding as well if the water level surpasses 15.7 feet.
“All stakeholders have been advised to stay alert,” the weather advisory said.
Rains in Mandi Bahauddin leave a child dead, injure 11
Heavy downpour in Mandi Bahauddin left one dead and injured 11 people on Wednesday, as the city recorded 210mm of rainfall.
Shah Hussain, 10, drowned while bathing in the rainwater, while in another incident, two boys — Qasim, 08, and Huzaifa, 06— were electrocuted during the rain.
Nine people were injured after the roofs of three dilapidated houses collapsed at separate locations. Areas in the city, such as College Chowk, Pindi Purani, and Jail Chowk, remained submerged under two to four feet of water.
