Flood alert in Punjab as monsoon fury wreaks havoc in KP and GB

Persistent heavy monsoon rains have triggered flooding, landslides and widespread disruption across Punjab, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Gilgit-Baltistan, with authorities issuing alerts as water levels continue to rise in several rivers and streams on Thursday, reported 24NewsHD TV channel.

The Provincial Disaster Management Authority (PDMA) in Punjab warned of increased water flow in the province's rivers and directed residents living near riverbanks and low-lying areas to move to safe locations.

The PDMA spokesperson said flood preparedness measures have already been completed and that relief camps will be equipped with basic facilities, medicines, standard boats and life jackets.

According to the PDMA alert, high flood levels were reported in the Chenab River at Marala, Khanki and Qadirabad, while low flood conditions were recorded at Tarbela and Chashma in the Indus River.

Medium flood levels were reported in the Basantar stream in Narowal, while the Bhimber stream in Gujrat and the Palkhu stream in Wazirabad were also carrying low-level flood water.

According to the PDMA director general, the Punjab government has put in place all necessary arrangements in areas that may be affected by flooding. Administrative, army, Rescue 1122, police, WASA, municipal and other agencies have been placed on high alert, and Phalia authorities plan to establish 10 flood-relief camps and 10 boating points.

The PDMA also released a report on losses caused by this year's monsoon rains, saying that 23 people have died and 154 have been injured so far. The report said no deaths were recorded from people being swept away by floodwaters or trapped in flood channels, but fatalities were reported from lightning strikes, collapsing buildings, electrocution and drowning.

In Gilgit-Baltistan, Diamer district has been badly affected, with heavy rain and flash floods causing major damage in Tangir, Thor and Khnar. In Froodi, a flood surge entered residential areas, damaging houses, farmland, standing crops and orchards. In Thor and Khnar, link roads were damaged and traffic came to a halt.

In Kharamg, the Kamango stream changed its natural course overnight, leaving its original route and flowing into smaller channels. This caused severe erosion, while floodwater entered nearby agricultural land and damaged standing crops. Residents have asked the district administration and relevant departments to build protective embankments urgently.

In the Khyber district, rain continued, and the weather turned unusually cold, with people saying it felt more like December than July. Rain in the hilly areas caused streams to swell, and the Bara River also rose to medium flood level. District authorities and rescue teams banned access to streams and waterways, and two people were arrested for violating the restrictions.

Further east, heavy rain caused flooding in several areas of Punjab. In Lahore, the city remained under persistent monsoon rain for a fourth consecutive day, while Islamabad experienced its third straight day of intermittent rainfall. Water accumulated in several Lahore neighbourhoods, including Township, Model Town, Ichhra, Gulberg, Quaid-e-Azam Industrial Estate, Kot Lakhpat, Wapda Town and Defence. WASA teams were deployed for drainage work, but water could not be cleared from roads immediately.

پوش علاقے کا یہ حال ہے تو سوچیں باقی لاہور کا کیا حال ہوگا
صوبائی دارلحکومت لاہور میں کل سے جاری طوفانی بارش کے بعد لاہور کہ پوش ترین علاقے ڈیفینس کے مناظر ۔۔ پانی گھروں میں داخل ۔ بعض علاقوں میں دو فٹ سے زیادہ پانی ۔ سڑکوں پر ڈیڑھ سے ڈھائی فٹ تک پانی۔۔ گاڑیوں کی آمدورفت مکمل… pic.twitter.com/WPwN9zfWyF

— Daar (@arifdar198) July 23, 2026

The heavy rain disrupted routine life in Lahore, with many residents staying indoors and office attendance dropping sharply. Vehicles, motorcycles, rickshaws and cars were stranded in waterlogged low-lying areas.

Two brothers were killed after a motorcycle became uncontrollable in rain near Gate No. 2 on the road from Centre Park to Kasur. The victims were identified as Hamza, son of Arif, aged about 18, and Hasan, son of Arif, aged about 16.

In DHA Phase 4, four people were injured when the roof of a house collapsed. Rescue teams gave first aid before shifting the injured to General Hospital. The injured were identified as 19-year-old Amina, 20-year-old Ali, 22-year-old Saima and 55-year-old Ali Sher.

Heavy rain also caused two chambers to collapse in the Sessions Court area in Lahore, including that of senior lawyer Pir Masood Chishti. In another part of the city, WASA released its rainfall record, saying the highest monsoon rainfall was recorded at the airport and nearby areas at 263mm. Other readings included Kahna at 143.4mm, Manawan at 106mm, Upper Mall at 114.4mm, Mughalpura at 129 mm, Tajpura at 155mm, Nishter Town at 56.4mm, Chawk Nakhda at 62mm, Paniwala Talab at 27.2mm, Farrukhabad at 23.4mm, Gulshan Ravi at 18mm, Iqbal Town at 54.2mm, Samanabad at 32mm, Johar Town at 81mm, Defence Road at 45mm, Shahdipurah at 132.4mm and Saggian at 22.2mm.

In Shakargarh, heavy rain turned streets into waterlogged channels, flooding low-lying areas and making it difficult for residents to leave their homes. People in Muqalla Antwali and Muslim Town protested after drainage systems failed and streets resembled streams.

In Islamabad, the Pakistan Meteorological Department said intermittent rain would continue throughout the day. The ongoing spell of rain over the last three days has brought a noticeable drop in temperatures in the federal capital. Morning temperatures were recorded at 22 degrees Celsius, with daytime temperatures expected to reach 28 degrees Celsius. Winds of up to 14 kilometres per hour are forecast, with humidity above 92 per cent. The Met Office said rain in Islamabad would continue until Friday.

The department also predicted thunderstorms and rain in Kashmir, Gilgit-Baltistan and the upper districts of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.

President Asif Ali Zardari, taking notice of the monsoon situation, directed all relevant departments to remain on high alert and urged rescue and relief operations to be intensified to protect human lives and property. He also called for immediate steps to protect tourists and local residents.

 CM Maryam orders all-out help for masses amid heavy rain, flooding

 Amid heavy rains and flooding alerts, Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz has directed concerned authorities to use all out resources for the safety and security of the people. 

Chief Minister Maryam also directed LESCO and other power distribution companies to take notice of fatalities caused by electrocution. 

“People are losing their lives due to the negligence of power distribution companies”, Maryam Nawaz Sharif observed. She said haphazardly dangling power lines on utility poles have become a grave threat to human lives. 

Chief Minister directed for immediate action on the WASA complaint helpline and the compilation of a record regarding complaint resolution. 

She directed that the ban on bathing in rivers, dams, and barrages be strictly enforced besides the strict monitoring of rivers, dams, and barrages using drones. 

The CM directed local administration to make announcements via mosques, electronic media, and social media to keep the public informed about the rain and flood situation. Chief Minister directed that all construction sites be made safe during the monsoon season. Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif instructs the administration to inspect dilapidated and unsafe buildings and have them vacated voluntarily. 

Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif orders that manholes, drains, and potholes across the province be secured during the monsoon season.

Maryam Nawaz appealed to parents to prevent their children from visiting dangerous areas during flood conditions. 

She issued directives to deploy 'Clinics on Wheels' to affected areas for the prevention and treatment of snakebites and waterborne diseases. 

The CM said directives issued for early warnings regarding urban flooding and hill torrents in Multan and Dera Ghazi Khan, along with instructions for timely evacuation. 

Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz ordered preemptive evacuation in Murree due to the risk of landslides. Chief Minister said tourists in Murree be alerted to landslide risks through public announcements. She gave instructions to ensure full coordination among PDMA, WASA, Rescue 1122, Local Government, and NDMA. Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif directs that monsoon flood control rooms be made operational 24/7 in every district. 

CM Maryam Nawaz congratulated Provincial Health Minister Khawaja Salman Rafique, Housing Minister Bilal Yasin, Local Government Minister Zeeshan Rafique and the entire team. 

Reporters: Faran Yameen, Maryam Mazhar, Hashar Waraich, Awais Kiani, Dure Nayab, Ali Sahi, Shuja Bhatti, Jahanzeb Afridi, Sami Ullah, Mubarak Hasan, Ishtiaq Rabbani, Nayyar Alam, and Ali Ramay