Intermittent heavy rainfall lashed several cities in Punjab over the previous 24 hours, the Provincial Disaster Management Authority (PDMA) said on Wednesday.
According to the Water and Sanitation Agency (Wasa), 123 millimetres of rain was recorded in Lahore, a record 245mm in Gujranwala and 95mm in Gujrat.
The PDMA said 139mm of rainfall was recorded in Sialkot, 138mm in Mandi Bahauddin, 117mm in Narowal, 85mm in Hafizabad, 70mm in Chakwal, 64mm in Okara, 35mm in Jhang, 33mm in Layyah and 32mm in Jhelum.
The disaster management authority further said that since the start of the monsoon season in the province, at least 17 people have died in rain-related incidents. Of the reported deaths, 12 were caused by the collapse of buildings or other structures, two by lightning strikes and three by electrocution, the PDMA said.
Residents faced hardships due to accumulated rainwater on roads in major cities of central and northern Punjab. Photos shared on social media and corroborated by a Dawn correspondent showed the Shamsi Underpass in Gujranwala’s Civil Lines area completely submerged on Wednesday, making it impossible for traffic to pass through.
Rainwater accumulated in different areas of Lahore, including Kareem Block Market, Johar Town, Township, Ferozepur Road, Multan Road, Samanabad, Gulshan-i-Ravi, Lakshmi Chowk, Model Town and other major roads and streets across the city.
Several photos and videos shared on social media showed roads inundated in Lahore, leaving commuters stranded. Videos posted on social media platform X showed cars wading through knee-deep water on major roads across the city. Social media users also reported prolonged power outages in areas that received rainfall over the past 24 hours.
However, Wasa Lahore claimed that no water accumulation was reported on most major roads and intersections, according to a statement.
The statement added that real-time monitoring of citywide drainage operations was being conducted from the monsoon control room.
“Teams are mobilised for immediate cleaning of main drains and channels to provide relief to citizens,” stated DG Wasa Punjab, while conducting field monitoring in Gujranwala.
According to Wasa, rainwater drainage efforts were underway in 41 districts, while authorities are continuously monitoring rivers, dams and barrages.
All Punjab Wasa field teams are on high alert, with directives issued to ensure the swiftest possible drainage of rainwater, Wasa Punjab director general said, adding that public convenience was the top priority.
The Pakistan Meteorological Department (PMD) Wednesday issued a high flood advisory for River Chenab, warning that high flood levels are expected to persist over the next six to eight hours before gradually receding as rainfall over the major catchments continues to decrease.
According to the Flood Forecasting Division of the PMD, heavy rainfall observed over the River Chenab catchment, along with hydrometeorological conditions and Sialkot weather radar data, has resulted in high flood conditions. Although rainfall has now decreased across the major sub-catchments, river flows are expected to remain high for the next six to eight hours before gradually declining.
The advisory said River Chenab at Marala is expected to remain at a high flood level during the next six to eight hours, while water levels are likely to recede gradually thereafter if the current rainfall trend continues. It added that Khanki and Qadirabad are also expected to attain high flood levels during the next 10 to 18 hours.
The PMD warned that riverine (Kacha) areas adjacent to the river may experience hazardous conditions and advised the public to minimize movement near riverbanks and flood-prone locations while high flows persist.
It further cautioned that standing crops, fodder fields and livestock in low-lying floodplain areas may remain exposed to inundation until river levels begin to recede. Low-lying roads, river crossings, embankment approaches and transport routes near the river may also face localized disruptions during the period of high flows.
The Flood Forecasting Division said it would continue close monitoring of hydrometeorological conditions, river flows and weather radar observations, and would issue updates if the situation changes.
The PMD advised provincial and district authorities, irrigation departments and other stakeholders to maintain enhanced monitoring of river conditions and official flood forecasts.
The advisory covers River Chenab and adjoining riverine areas affected by recent heavy rainfall over the upper catchment.
Meanwhile, the Punjab Irrigation Department on Wednesday dismissed reports circulating on certain media outlets and social media regarding a flood warning in the River Chenab, terming them baseless and contrary to facts.
A spokesperson for the department said there was no alarming or emergency situation in the River Chenab at present, adding that the river was experiencing only a low-level flood.
The spokesperson said the river’s flow had been recorded at 160,000 cusecs, which falls within the low flood category. He added that the situation remained fully under control and that all teams of the Irrigation Department were continuously monitoring barrages and other sensitive locations along the river.
The spokesperson urged the public not to pay attention to unverified reports or rumours and advised citizens to rely only on official sources of the Punjab Irrigation Department for authentic information regarding the flood situation.