LAHORE: The Provincial Disaster Management Authority (PDMA) on Friday issued a flood alert at Kalabagh and Chashma in the Indus River.
According to the authority, there is a possibility of water rising in both the dams due to the monsoon rains on Aug 16 and 17. There might be medium to high levels of flooding at Kalabagh and Chashma.
The PDMA issued an alert to the commissioners of Rawalpindi, Sargodha, Dera Ghazi Khan and Bahawalpur divisions. An alert has also been issued to the deputy commissioners of Attock, Mianwali, Bhakkar, Layyah, Kot Addu, Dera Ghazi Khan, Muzaffargarh, Rajanpur and Rahim Yar Khan.
Punjab Relief Commissioner Nabeel Javed has issued instructions to the commissioners, deputy commissioners (DCs) and Wasa officials to remain alert about the possible situation. Alerts have been issued to the local government, agriculture, irrigation, health, forest, livestock and transport departments.
Rs20m provided to Kasur admin for relief, rescue activities
PDMA Director General Irfan Ali Kathia said all arrangements should be completed in advance and the staff in emergency control rooms should be kept on alert. He added that disaster response teams of Rescue 1122 should also be kept on high alert and provision of food, clean drinking water and other facilities should be ensured in flood relief camps.
“In view of the flood situation in Kasur, the activities of PDMA Punjab are going on in the district.”
According to the PDMA DG, more relief supplies have been provided to deal with the flood situation in Kasur. The relief supplies included 50 tents, 100 life jackets, 50 life rings, 100 mosquito nets and 50 plastic mats. An additional amount of Rs20m has been provided to the district administration for relief and rescue activities. The supplies have been delivered to the district administration by the PDMA Punjab. All rescue and relief equipment and teams are present in the field. Rescue 1122 and other workers are engaged in rescue activities.
“The citizens should strictly follow precautionary measures in flood situation though protection of life and property of citizens is the top priority of the Punjab government,” he added.
The PDMA Punjab also issued a fact sheet on the monsoon flood situation. In the last 24 hours, 28mm of rain was recorded in Murree, 22mm in Rawalpindi, 13mm in Narowal, and 11mm in Lahore and Sialkot. Due to monsoon rains until Aug 17, there is a risk of water rising in major rivers of Punjab.
According to the fact sheet, there is a low-level flood situation in the Indus River at Kalabagh, Tarbela and Taunsa. A medium-level flood situation has been recorded in the Indus River at Chashma. There is a low-level flood situation in the Chenab River at Khanki and Marala and a low-level flood in the Sutlej River at Ganda Singhwala. The water flow in the Jhelum and Ravi rivers is normal as well as water flow in the rivers and canals adjacent to the major rivers. Tarbela Dam is 96pc full while Mangla Dam is 67pc. The water level in the Indian dams is up to 70pc.
Mr Kathia said the citizens should take care of children and not let them bathe in the rainwater drains, low-lying areas, rivers and canals. “This year, 164 citizens died in various accidents due to monsoon rains. In view of the instructions of the Chief Minister of Punjab, financial assistance is being provided to the affected families. 582 citizens were injured, 216 houses were affected and 121 livestock were killed.”
Meanwhile, Provincial Minister for Health and Chairman Cabinet Committee on Disaster Management Khawaja Salman Rafique visited the PDMA Head Office to review the latest water flow situation in the Indus, Jhelum and Sutlej rivers.
DG Kathia briefed the minister.
According to Mr Rafique, there is coordination among all the relevant institutions across the province. Rescue personnel and other departments are performing their duties for the convenience of the public in the affected areas. Real-time gauges are also inspected in the PDMA and instructions are issued. All other relevant institutions, including the district administration, have been directed to remain alert.
According to weather reports, heavy rains are predicted in most districts of Punjab in the next 24 hours. There are concerns of heavy rains and cloudbursts in the Upper Punjab.
The PDMA Punjab issued orders for deputy commissioners across the province to keep lifeboats, life rings and rescue equipment on standby.
DG Kathia said provision of staff should be ensured in hospitals to deal with emergency situations. “Rescue teams should be deployed in advance at sensitive places to deal with emergency situations. Inform citizens in advance in case of heavy rain. There should be sufficient stock of petrol and diesel for rescue operations,” he said.
He added that drainage should be ensured in all sensitive places, especially around hospitals. Announcements should be made in mosques and instructions should be issued at the local level to citizens to stay in safe places.
Published in Dawn, August 16th, 2025