Hundreds remain stranded as authorities warn of widespread heavy rainfall across Punjab
WATER EVERYWHERE: Rescuers navigate submerged streets to evacuate residents of Pathan Colony in Ferozewala Tehsil. PHOTO: EXPRESS
LAHORE’:
LAHORE
A fresh spell of monsoon expected to sweep across Punjab from Wednesday (today) has raised fears of urban flooding, flash floods and landslides, even as scores of villages in Ferozewala tehsil remain under water after rising water levels in streams left hundreds of families stranded.
The Pakistan Meteorological Department (PMD) predicted widespread rain and thundershowers over Punjab and other parts of the country from July 29 to August 5, with scattered heavy to very heavy falls expected in several districts.
Monsoon currents from the Arabian Sea and Bay of Bengal are likely to enter the upper and central parts of the country, while a westerly wave affecting the northern areas is expected to intensify from August 1, according to weather experts.
According to the weather forecast, Islamabad, Rawalpindi, Murree, Galliyat, Attock, Chakwal, Jhelum, Mandi Bahauddin, Gujrat, Gujranwala, Hafizabad, Wazirabad, Sialkot, Narowal, Lahore, Okara, Kasur, Sheikhupura, Nankana Sahib, Jhang Toba S, Faisa, Shib, Faisala, Shangh, S, Chi Mianwali, Layyah, Bhakkar, Noorpur Thal, Sargodha, Sahiwal and Pakpattan is likely to receive rain with occasional gaps till August 4, while southern districts including Bahawalpur, Bahawalnagar, Rahim Yar Khan, Multan, Vehari, Khanewal, Lodhran, Muzaffaru Khapur, Der Rajan Add Khapur and Der Rajan Add Khapur are expected to receive rainfall from July 31 to August 3.
The Punjab Disaster Management Authority (PDMA) has directed provincial departments and district administrations to remain on high alert, warning of possible urban flooding in Lahore, Rawalpindi, Gujranwala, Gujrat, Sialkot, Faisalabad and Multan.
The PDMA has also warned that Murree, Galliyat and other mountainous areas may face landslides, while flash floods may occur in local streams and nullahs in Kashmir, Northeast Punjab, Islamabad, Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa and Gilgit-Baltistan, along with hill streams in Dera Ghazi Balochist Khan and North Balochist Khan.
PDMA Director General Umar Mela directed commissioners and deputy commissioners to ensure advance preparations, saying rainfall could increase water flows in eastern rivers and adjoining nullahs.
Citizens have been advised to avoid unnecessary travel in severe weather, stay away from dilapidated houses and mud houses, seek shelter during thunderstorms and keep children away from low-lying areas, standing water, power lines and poles.
Punjab Housing Minister Noorul Amin Mengal also directed all Water and Sanitation Agencies (WASAs) to remain on high alert throughout the forecast period. Officials have been directed to maintain close coordination with district administrations, ensure disposal stations, pumps and machinery remain fully operational and keep field staff posted during rainfall.
Authorities have also been directed to implement safety measures at construction sites by cordoning off open pits and installing barriers and warning signs.
The warning comes as floods continued to hit Ferozewala tehsil where scores of villages have been inundated after a dam along the seasonal Bhir Nullah breached. According to the PDMA, the flow of river Ravi at Shahdara remains within the normal range, but floods in seasonal streams have submerged dozens of villages and settlements under several meters of water. Officials said continued rainfall has pushed the water level even higher, adding to the concern of residents.
The floods worsened after the water level rose by another two to three feet, cutting off Pathan Colony from Lahore’s GT Road and leaving hundreds of families stranded in flooded homes. At least three children have died in flood-related incidents, while several meters of flood water have inundated Rachna Town, Rana Town, Pathan Colony, Kot Abdul Malik, suburban areas of Kala Shah Kaku, Muradpur and Jamke Cheema.
Residents said floodwaters entered residential areas after protective dams were breached or overwhelmed by rising seasonal streams, forcing many families to move women, children and elderly members to safer places, while some men stayed behind to guard their homes.
“Electricity has remained suspended in the area for the past four days as flood waters continue to rise,” said Muhammad Riaz, a resident of Pathan Colony. He said his family had moved to a relative’s house, but he stayed behind to protect the household’s belongings from possible theft.
Rashidan Bibi said floods had destroyed most of her belongings. “My whole life’s savings have been washed away and no government aid is visible,” she said.
Abdul Rehman said floodwaters suddenly entered the neighborhood overnight, forcing families to flee in haste and abandoning much of their belongings, while Muhammad Saleem of Rachna Town said the water level had shown no sign of abating, leaving everyday life paralyzed and creating shortages of food and safe drinking water.
Rescue and relief operations continue with Rescue 1122 and other welfare organizations using boats to evacuate stranded residents and distribute cooked food, dry rations, clean drinking water and other essential supplies.
However, residents complained that despite official claims to monitor the flood situation through drones, they had not been warned in time and alleged that the losses could have been reduced if seasonal drains had been cleared and encroachments removed before the monsoon.
They also said that no senior official of the government or the district administration had yet visited the affected localities and warned that the forecast of more monsoon rains could significantly worsen the floods in the already inundated areas.
