PDMA issues high flood alert for Punjab districts as River Indus swells

14 more people die in rain-related incidents in Punjab during the past 24 hours as Punjab Provincial Disaster Management Authority (PDMA) on Friday issued a high-level flood alert for the Kalabagh and Chashma areas along the Indus River, warning of potentially dangerous water levels.

According to the 24NewsHD TV channel, deputy commissioners of Sargodha, Mianwali, Bhakkar, Layyah, Kot Addu, Dera Ghazi Khan, Muzaffargarh, and Rajanpur have been alerted in advance to prepare for any emergency.

Rescue 1122 has also been directed by the PDMA to complete all necessary flood response arrangements ahead of time. In addition to rescue services, various departments, including local government, agriculture, irrigation, health, forest, livestock, and transport, have been put on alert to coordinate and respond efficiently in case of a flood emergency.

15 more die in monsoon related incident during 24 hours

 Pakistan Disaster Management Authority (PDMA) has said that 15 more people die including 8 children in monsoon related rains and flood incidents across the country while 53 people were injured during the time period, reported 24NewsHDTV Chanel. 

Pakistan Disaster Management Authority (PDMA) in his press statement said that overall 193 people have been died and 544 were injured during June 26 to 17 July. Punjab recorded highest death toll at 114 and 437 people were injured, in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa there were 40 deaths and 57 injured. 

Sindh province recorded 21 deaths and 40 injured, Balochistan 16 deaths and Azad Kashmir and Islamabad recorded 11 deaths. According to NDMA, 79 houses damaged in the last 24 hours across the country, 67 cattle drowned and 689 houses damaged and total 193 cattle swept away. 

14 more people die in rain related incident in Punjab during the past 24 hours. Three people were killed including two men in Chiniot district in rain related incidents on Friday. The one incident took place in Chak No 140 when two women die in roof collapse while second accident took place at Pathan Kot Adda. Rescue teams handed over the bodies to the victim families after relief operation. According to PDMA, 52 people were injured and 34 houses collapsed in rain while number of animal were also killed during heavy rains. 

PDMA Punjab rescues 1000 people in Potohar region

The Provincial Disaster Management Authority (PDMA) Punjab has rescued hundreds of citizens trapped by floodwaters after heavy rainfall struck the Potohar region yesterday, according to Director General PDMA, Irfan Ali Kathia.

Extraordinary rainfall in Chakwal, Jhelum, and Rawalpindi prompted the declaration of a rain emergency. District administrations, in coordination with the Pakistan Armed Forces, swiftly launched rescue operations across the affected areas.

More than 1,000 people were evacuated to safer locations in the Potohar region. In Jhelum alone, 398 citizens were rescued. The district administration evacuated 174 individuals, while the Pakistan Army assisted in rescuing another 64. Additionally, 160 people in Jhelum were airlifted by helicopter to safety.

In Chakwal, a cloudburst led to flash floods that stranded residents. PDMA reported that 209 individuals were successfully relocated to safer zones, including 182 by the district administration and 27 via helicopter.

Rawalpindi also experienced intense flooding, where the district administration rescued 450 individuals. Six citizens trapped in the Lai Nullah were airlifted by helicopter.

DG PDMA Irfan Ali Kathia emphasised that the rescue operations were carried out promptly as per the directions of the Punjab Chief Minister. He confirmed that no casualties were reported.

The DG further warned that the fourth spell of monsoon rainfall is forecast to begin on July 21.

Chenab River floods farmlands
The water level in the Chenab River has significantly risen near Head Muhammadwala, submerging settlements, including Nazar Wala, Kheda, Lak, and Wasande Wala. Fruit orchards and vegetable gardens have been inundated, devastating local farmers.

High alert in Shahpur, Khushab
Flood alerts have been issued in Shahpur Sadar, Khushab, and Bhera due to a significant increase in the Jhelum River's water level. Tehsil administrations are on high alert, rescue teams are mobilized, and residents in riverside villages have been urged to relocate.

Further rise expected in River Sindh

The Irrigation Department has warned that the water level is expected to rise further in the coming days. In anticipation, an emergency has been declared on the LS protective bund, and continuous monitoring of the embankments has begun.

Meanwhile, the flood control room has reported that the Indus River at Guddu Barrage is currently experiencing a low-level flood. Encouragingly, water levels are now rapidly declining.

Dozens of villages submerged in Balochistan

A 50-foot-wide breach in the Pat Feeder Canal in Balochistan's Sohbatpur district has submerged dozens of villages, as monsoon-triggered flooding continues to wreak havoc in the region, 24NewsHD TV channel reported on Friday.

According to the details, the breach occurred near Jangi Mori in the tehsil of Mulguzar during the ongoing spell of heavy monsoon rains. As the canal gave way, water rushed out at high speed, inundating a wide area and leaving many villages underwater.

Sources said residents were struggling to contain the breach on their own. Despite the critical situation, no major relief operation has yet been initiated by the Balochistan authorities.

Flooded villages have reported extensive damage to both crops and homes. Affected residents are urging the government to provide emergency assistance and to take swift action to seal the breach.

So far, the recent rains have damaged 58 houses across Balochistan, out of which 11 homes have been destroyed, while 47 have been partially affected. Additionally, four government properties have been damaged, including three revenue offices and one education department building.

According to data released by the Provincial Disaster Management Authority (PDMA), the monsoon season has so far claimed 16 lives in Balochistan, including seven children and four women. Eight others, including five men, have been injured.

Mianwali, Attock brace for rising Indus River
In Mianwali, the Indus River is witnessing medium-level flooding at Jinnah Barrage, with an inflow of over 453,000 cusecs. Rescue teams are actively working in low-lying katcha areas of Piplan Tehsil, including Moch, Mudatwala, Rokhri, Balukhel, and others.

In Attock, the situation is similarly critical at Attock Khurd, where 300,000 cusecs of water is passing through the Indus and Kabul Rivers. An emergency has been declared, and citizens are being warned to stay away from riverbanks and low-lying areas.

Haripur: Casualties, damages due to heavy rains
In Haripur, homes and walls collapsed in several areas due to torrential rains. A girl was reported dead, while many residents lost their belongings under the debris. Victims are currently waiting for government assistance.

With moderate to high-level flooding observed across major rivers and more rain predicted in the coming days, provincial and district administrations have mobilized rescue and relief efforts. However, many affected citizens continue to call for quicker response and long-term flood protection planning.

Emergency declared in Sehwan

Meanwhile, in Sindh, water levels in the Indus River continue to rise steadily, reaching the low-lying riverine (katcha) areas of Sehwan. This has triggered a low-level flood emergency, according to a report by 24NewsHD TV.

According to irrigation officials, three union councils in Sehwan tehsil have now been declared under low-level flood conditions following the surge in river water.

Floodwaters have inundated the katcha areas, cutting off more than 30 villages from the nearby cities of Sehwan and Bhan Syedabad. Villages including Bilawalpur, Daredeero, Jhundiani, Nayo Wahan, Mahi Otho, and Mahi Sehta are now completely surrounded by water.

Villagers arrange private boats for movement

In response to the worsening situation, local villagers have arranged private boats for transport, maintaining a link with urban centres as all road access has been severed.

The residents of the flood-hit areas have urged the district administration to provide government-operated boats to ease movement and support emergency needs.

Reporters: Kaleem Akhtar, Abdul Majid Khosa, Zubair Ahmed Kalwar, and Karim Jamali