Pakistan likely to receive above-average monsoon rains, Punjab may face urban flooding

Pakistan is expected to receive 25% more rainfall than average during the upcoming monsoon season, officials announced on Tuesday. In response, Punjab—the country’s most populous province—is implementing emergency preparedness measures to manage urban flooding and other climate-related risks.

The alert comes amid a backdrop of increasingly severe weather patterns in Pakistan, including heatwaves, droughts, and destructive floods. Despite contributing less than one percent to global carbon emissions, Pakistan remains among the countries most vulnerable to climate change.

To review preparations ahead of the monsoon, Irfan Ali Kathia, Director General of Punjab’s Provincial Disaster Management Authority (PDMA), visited the Pakistan Meteorological Department (PMD) headquarters in Lahore. During a briefing, officials confirmed that monsoon rainfall this year is projected to be 25% above normal, with August likely to see the heaviest downpours.

Chief Meteorologist Zahir Babar provided a comprehensive overview of the seasonal forecast and flood prediction systems. He emphasized the need for timely early warnings in major cities like Lahore, Multan, Faisalabad, and Gujranwala to reduce the impact of urban flooding.

Kathia stated that all necessary arrangements are in place to address the anticipated flood risks. He highlighted the importance of coordinated response efforts across all relevant departments to handle urban flooding and sudden cloudbursts effectively.

The warning comes as a reminder of the devastating 2022 monsoon, which left nearly 1,700 people dead and caused over $35 billion in damages to homes, agriculture, and infrastructure, according to government and UN estimates.

Officials also evaluated the flood early warning system for hill torrents and reviewed real-time river monitoring operations managed by the Flood Forecasting Division. Kathia commended the PMD’s technical capabilities and collaborative efforts, describing the partnership between PMD and PDMA Punjab as “excellent.”