Monsoon Rains Claim 65 Lives Across Punjab
PDMA reports 382 injuries, damage to 224 houses and losses to livestock during the rainy season
LAHORE: Monsoon rains caused significant losses across Punjab this year, with 65 people losing their lives and 382 others injured, according to a report issued by the Provincial Disaster Management Authority (PDMA).
The report stated that 224 houses were damaged across the province, while 21 livestock animals were also reported dead during rain-related incidents.
Several districts recorded unusually high rainfall during the monsoon season. Rawalpindi received the highest rainfall at 1,505 millimetres, followed by Lahore with 1,316mm and Sialkot with 1,256mm.
Sheikhupura Faces Localised Flooding
Heavy rainfall also created flood-like conditions in parts of Sheikhupura district after Nullah Bhed and Nullah Dek overflowed.
According to the PDMA, water entered 58 villages in the Ferozewala and Muridke areas. The flooding affected 83 revenue estates and around 43,188 acres of land.
The authority said arrangements were being made to provide compensation for crop and property losses in affected areas. Families impacted by the rains would also receive assistance under the Punjab government’s relief policy.
Gujranwala recorded 1,161mm of rainfall during the season, while Jhelum received 935mm, Gujrat 865mm, Mandi Bahauddin 810mm, Narowal 786mm, Murree 757mm, Attock 749mm, Wazirabad 741mm and Mangla 602mm.
Other districts also recorded substantial rainfall, including Okara, Sargodha, Faisalabad, Sheikhupura, Chakwal, Hafizabad, Kasur, Nankana Sahib, Bahawalnagar, Mianwali, Khushab and Toba Tek Singh.
Rainfall was also recorded in Jhang, Chiniot, Jauharabad, Sahiwal, Pakpattan, Bahawalpur, Khanewal, Multan, Kot Addu, Dera Ghazi Khan, Rahim Yar Khan, Rajanpur and Vehari.
Rivers Remained Within Normal Levels
The PDMA said Punjab did not experience major flooding in its rivers during the monsoon season. However, rising water levels in some drainage channels resulted in localised flooding, particularly in Sheikhupura.
PDMA Director General Muhammad Saif Anwer Jappa said authorities had made advance arrangements for drainage and emergency response despite the unusually heavy rainfall.
He said machinery and other resources were deployed in vulnerable areas to facilitate the removal of rainwater.
According to the PDMA, injured people were provided medical assistance, while compensation measures were being planned for families affected by deaths, injuries and damage to homes, crops and livestock.
The authority said rivers, dams and barrages remained under regular monitoring throughout the monsoon. Water flows in Punjab’s rivers remained within normal limits.
A 24-hour monitoring system was also maintained at the PDMA control room to track weather-related emergencies and coordinate responses with relevant departments.
Jappa said the authority remained prepared to deal with rain-related incidents and continued coordination with other government departments throughout the monsoon season.
