LAHORE/ RAWALPINDI/PESHAWAR: As Punjab — particularly the Pothohar region — continues to grapple with the aftermath of heavy rains and urban flooding, another spell of monsoon showers has been forecast for the country, especially several districts of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa from July 20 to 25.
Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz on Friday strongly reprimanded the deputy commissioners (DCs) of Rawalpindi, Jhelum, Attock, and Chakwal over poor performance during Thursday’s heavy rainfall and flooding.
She directed them to clear all flood-affected areas by Friday or face strict disciplinary action.
Expressing shock over outdated emergency protocols, CM Maryam criticised Rawalpindi authorities for using manual sirens during the rain emergency. “In an age of modern technology, this is unacceptable,” she said. She warned all four DCs to ensure robust arrangements ahead of the fourth monsoon spell, expected from July 20 to July 25.
However, the CM appreciated the performance of Rescue-1122 and police in all four districts for timely rescue efforts. CM Maryam monitored a drone demonstration delivering life jackets to flood victims. She praised DG PDMA Irfan Ali Kathia, for their coordinated efforts. She also thanked the Pakistan Army for its prompt support in rescue and relief operations.
Torrential rains continued for over 24 hours in Rawalpindi and Islamabad, flooding posh localities, suburbs, and commercial areas. Overflowing drains — Nullah Lai, Korang Nullah, and Swan River — led to widespread urban flooding.
The death toll rose to three, including an 8-year-old child, as people were swept away by powerful currents. At least 19 people were rescued from flood-hit areas, and a family in Ladian village was airlifted by helicopter.
The flood also caused infrastructure damage: Chahan Dam overflowed, submerging nearby villages; bridge connecting Shahpur and Rawalpindi-Islamabad was submerged; several highways and flyovers, including Murree Road and Faizabad, were under several feet of water, disrupting traffic.
Severe flooding was also reported in parts of Islamabad, Chakwal, Jhelum, and Attock, with dozens of villages inundated and residents taking refuge on rooftops.
Earlier, Punjab CM Maryam Nawaz was informed during a detailed briefing on Friday that no casualties were caused in the current monsoon spell due to negligence of any official or government department. Instead, all fatalities resulted from natural incidents, including the collapse of houses and walls, and lightning strikes, triggered by unprecedented rainfall.
The CM visited the Punjab Disaster Management Authority (PDMA) headquarters, where she received a comprehensive three-hour briefing on the ongoing flood and rain emergency. Officials highlighted the pre-emptive and real-time measures in place to mitigate the effects of the monsoon across the province.
PDMA Director General Irfan Ali Kathia updated her on river levels, dam safety, flood forecasting systems, and real-time weather monitoring tools including international portals and early warning systems.
The briefing revealed that 1,063 people were rescued during flash floods and heavy rains. In one instance, individuals trapped by floodwaters in Jhelum and Chakwal were rescued within 23 minutes using an army helicopter. On average, victims were evacuated within 15 minutes of receiving alerts.
Despite rapid response efforts, 108 deaths were reported across Punjab: 80 due to collapsing walls or roofs, 10 due to electrocution, five from lightning, and 13 drowned while bathing carelessly in canals.
Additionally, 388 citizens were injured in structural collapses, while eight suffered electrocution injuries.
Key rescue operations included: 450 people rescued in Rawalpindi by district authorities and Rescue 1122; 27 rescued by helicopter and 182 by Rescue-1122 in Chakwal; 160 rescued by helicopter and 174 by Rescue-1122 in Jhelum; 64 rescued by the Pakistan Army in Jhelum.
The PDMA also reported that Punjab is expected to receive 25pc more rain overall, and up to 40-60pc excess rainfall in 16 districts during July-September.
The district administrations intensified monitoring, with officials visiting sites even late at night to supervise relief efforts. Resources including 200 life jackets, 100 life rings, and 10 boats were deployed to flood-hit areas. Desilting operations have helped drain water from Rawalpindi’s low-lying areas within hours.
The Irrigation Department, Wasa, municipal bodies, and others desilted over 22,500 kilometres of rivers and canals. Anti-encroachment drives were carried out in flood-prone areas. The PDMA warehouses have stocked: 11,463 life jackets, 3,386 tents, 4,450 life rings, and 1,761 boats.
Authorities also conducted mock drills, equipment checks, and embankment inspections ahead of monsoon season. In Jhelum, 18 relief camps were established, with food and essentials distributed to displaced residents.
As monsoon activity is expected to intensify, PDMA has issued a flood alert for the Indus River at Kalabagh and Chashma, warning of potential high-level flooding in the next 24 hours.
Alerts have been issued to commissioners of Sargodha and Dera Ghazi Khan, and deputy commissioners of Mianwali, Bhakkar, Layyah, Kot Addu, Dera Ghazi Khan, Muzaffargarh, and Rajanpur. All relevant departments — including Local Government, Agriculture, Health, Irrigation, Forest, Livestock, and Transport — have been instructed to stay on high alert.
Rescue 1122 has been directed to pre-position equipment, maintain sufficient fuel stocks, and ensure 24/7 staffing of emergency control rooms. Relief camps are to be stocked with food, drinking water, and other essentials, and preparations for evacuation of residents and livestock in riverbed areas are underway.
DG Kathia emphasised the importance of public cooperation and precaution, urging citizens to stay informed, follow advisories, and contact PDMA’s emergency helpline (1129) in case of emergency.
Meanwhile, the Pakistan Meteorological Department (PMD) forecast a fresh spell of monsoon rains, windstorms, and thunderstorms across most parts of Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa (KP) from the evening of July 20 to July 25.
According to the Regional PMD Office, the weather system is expected to intensify with the support of an incoming westerly wave, leading to widespread rainfall in both upper and lower districts of the province.
The districts likely to be affected include: Haripur, Abbottabad, Mansehra, Swat, Chitral, Dir, Malakand, Battagram, Shangla, Kohistan, Kolai Pallas, Torghar, Peshawar, Mardan, Swabi, Nowshera, Charsadda, Bajaur, Mohmand, Khyber, Orakzai, Kurram, Kohat, Hangu, Bannu, Karak, Lakki Marwat, DI Khan, Tank, and North and South Waziristan.
The PDMA warned that the monsoon system may bring scattered heavy to very heavy downpours, lightning, and strong winds, which could lead to: urban flooding in low-lying areas, landslides in mountainous regions, traffic and routine life disruption.
In light of the risks, the PDMA issued advisories to all deputy commissioners to stay on alert and take preventive measures.
Meanwhile, the government faced sharp criticism in Senate on Friday over the loss of precious lives and severe hardships endured by the public due to recent rains, with the opposition denouncing it as a government failure.
A comprehensive report on the state of preparedness was also demanded within a week. “The loss of precious lives and the severe hardships faced by the people due to the recent rains are a clear indication of the government’s unacceptable negligence and incompetence,” asserted Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) parliamentary leader Barrister Ali Zafar while speaking on a point of public importance.
He stressed that this was not the first occurrence—advance warnings of the monsoon had been issued by the Meteorological Department, yet government institutions remained unprepared.
Ali Zafar expressed concern that roads and neighbourhoods were flooded, forcing people to spend nights on rooftops while the state machinery remained a silent spectator. “This was not just a natural disaster, but a government failure.”
He reiterated the recurring question: “Is there any effective system in place at the government level to deal with emergencies or not?”
Every year, he noted, the public suffers the same ordeal, while the government offers the same old promises and explanations.
“This House demands that a comprehensive report be presented on the government’s preparedness and response to the recent rains,” he said, also calling for a special parliamentary committee to investigate the matter and recommend measures to prevent future negligence.
“For God’s sake, do not wait for the next disaster. Reform today, so that tomorrow no other mother is forced to look for her child in floodwaters.”
The deputy chairman, presiding over the session, stated that a detailed discussion would be held on Monday, as several motions were also pending.
“Deputy chairman sahib, the time for debate is over, don’t wait for it, take a decision on the proposed committee,” Ali Zafar pressed.
Earlier, during question hour, members including Palwasha Khan, Zamir Hussain Ghumro, Shahadat Awan and Saifullah Abro raised concerns over an NHA officer posted on deputation in 2009 as PD on Ring Road Pack-3, Nag Shah Chowk, Multan, who was later inducted into regular service in 2012. They argued this violated Supreme Court rulings and service rules capping deputation at two years.
Communications Minister Abdul Aleem Khan expressed unawareness but pledged action if an inquiry confirmed any violations.
At Dr Humayun Mohmand’s request, the matter of recruiting girls for Serbia was referred to the relevant House standing committee.
Documents shared with the House revealed Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar’s statement that Serbia, in preparation for EXPO-2027, had opened immigration for three years, seeking 27,000 workers in agro-farming, construction and IT. Seven embassies, including Pakistan’s, were approached.
Dar noted that in 2024, only 38 Pakistani workers went to Serbia for farming, with 13 rehired due to good performance. He added that Pakistan and Serbia were negotiating an MoU for workforce import in these sectors.
Meanwhile, the body of the police officer Haider Ali, who was involved in relief activities in the floods caused by rain in Jhelum, was swept away by the floodwaters on Thursday, was found from Rasool Nagar. The police official was later laid to rest in his hometown with honour.
Inspector General (IG) Punjab Dr Usman Anwar paid tribute to the great sacrifice of martyred constable Haider Ali. He said in this hour of grief, he was with the family of the martyr.
The IG said Punjab Police personnel were working in the flood-affected areas without caring for their lives. “The police personnel are providing temporary accommodation, food and medicines to the flood victims”, he said.