Recovering from prior destruction, Punjab yet to brace another torrential spell.
As many low lying areas of southern Punjab have already been affected by the torrential downpour in previous ten days, Punjab Disaster Management Authority has issued warning of flashfloods and landslides throughout the province including southern, central and northern districts. Since 25th June 2025, the pre-monsoon downpours have wreaked havoc in villages near Indus and Chenab Rivers. In Rajanpur, Layyah and Taunsah districts, the whole villages were washed away forcing the villagers to flee towards higher grounds, equally causing destruction to standing crops and human beings and cattle.
Indus River has washed dozens of villages in DG Khan, Layyah and Taunsah Districts while causing equal destruction in urban areas. Kalabagh area has seen Indus River swell in previous spells causing widespread destruction. Moreover, in Sindh, Dadu and Jacobabad had been affected with torrential floods in past 25 days.
Chenab River levels also showed surge due to heavy pre-monsoon downpour causing wide level destruction in adjacent areas. In central Punjab’s Hafizabad district, the residential as well as agricultural lands were swept away with heavy riverine floods. Residents of nearby areas of Nullah Lai river in Rawalpindi were alerted to evacuate the area after sudden surge in river levels due to heavy downpour. Keeping in view the disasters of monsoon spells in Rawalpindi, the city came to a halt on Thursday 24th July 29, 2025 on account of Public holiday declared by the local government. As quoted in the Dawn, according to Punjab Disaster Management authority report issued on Monday states 152 rain related casualties, 539 injured and 210 houses were affected. In the same report is mentioned a loss of 121 livestock animals. Rescue teams used boats to rescue flood affected families in low lying areas in the Basin of Indus River. Although these areas are prone to floods in monsoon season but climate change and drastic seasonal extremes are causing flash floods in urban as well as riverine areas more frequently and vigorously.
While the flood stricken villagers still await help from the government, the PMD has issued a fresh warning of another spell of monsoon prompting authorities to relocate people to safer grounds as well as alerted rescue forces to be prepared for urban and riverine floods starting today. The department has predicted raising water levels in Jehlum and Chenab River issuing special disaster alert for Hafizabad, Sargodha Gujrat, Gujranwala, Lahore, Faisalabad and Narowal. Meanwhile moderate rain alert has been issued to the Southern districts including Dera Ghazi Khan, Rajanpur and Rahim Yar Khan. River Kabul and Chitral and their tributaries may also see a surge in this new monsoon spell. This spell starting today will continue till 31st of July. While search for missing tourists in Babusar continues, the road was opened on Monday. The provincial governments of GB and Punjab are arranging necessary help for the affected.
