Punjab is reeling from severe floods caused by unprecedented monsoon rains, which have submerged many low-lying residential areas. Over the past 48 hours alone, 70 people have died, bringing the total fatalities since June 25 to 123, with 462 injured, according to the Provincial Disaster Management Authority (PDMA). The floods have triggered widespread urban flooding and severe damage to infrastructure.
Rescue operations are ongoing. Over 1,000 residents have been relocated from high-risk flood zones in the Pothohar region, including 398 from Jhelum, 209 from Chakwal, and 450 from Rawalpindi. Recent deaths include individuals swept away by rising floodwaters and others killed by collapsing roofs during heavy rainstorms. Chakwal remains one of the hardest-hit districts, with dozens of villages still without electricity.
Power outages persist due to damage to electricity infrastructure. The local power company reports that heavy rains have damaged 99 high-tension poles, 48 low-tension poles, and 65 transformers, with full restoration expected to take at least 48 more hours.
The Pakistan Meteorological Department (PMD) and PDMA have issued warnings for further heavy rains and potential flooding from July 20 onwards. High flood levels are anticipated along the Indus River near Kala Bagh and Chashma, prompting authorities to advise strict precautionary measures. Urban flood risks and landslides are expected in multiple regions, including Punjab, Sindh, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Balochistan, Kashmir, and Gilgit-Baltistan.
The monsoon winds are currently entering Sindh and northern parts of the country and are expected to intensify. Additional rainfall accompanied by thunderstorms may worsen conditions across a large swath of Pakistan through late July, with specific warnings for flash floods and landslides in mountainous districts.
Officials continue urging residents to stay vigilant and follow safety instructions as rescue efforts intensify to protect lives and property amid this ongoing natural disaster.