Punjab has witnessed record-breaking monsoon rainfall over the past four days, with Lahore receiving an extraordinary 383 millimetres of rain, the highest among all districts in the province, according to the Provincial Disaster Management Authority (PDMA). The relentless downpours have triggered widespread flooding concerns, damaged infrastructure, submerged agricultural land, and prompted authorities to issue fresh warnings for urban flooding and rising river levels.
The PDMA reported that several districts experienced exceptionally heavy rainfall, making this one of the most intense monsoon spells in recent years. Lahore topped the list with 383mm of rainfall, followed by Gujranwala with 328mm, Sialkot with 321mm, Narowal with 270mm, and Murree with 211mm. Other districts that received significant rainfall included Mandi Bahauddin (177mm), Gujrat (144mm), Jhelum (115mm), Hafizabad (108mm), Mangla (102mm), Chakwal (96mm), Sheikhupura (85mm), Okara Bahadur (66mm), Jhang (66mm), Toba Tek Singh (57mm), Attock (56mm), Kasur (52mm), Rawalpindi (47mm), Leh (35mm), and Sahiwal (34mm).
Rainfall was also recorded in Faisalabad, Sargodha, Dera Ghazi Khan, Khanewal, Bahawalnagar, and Bhakkar, indicating that the weather system affected large parts of Punjab.
Meteorological authorities have warned that the spell is not yet over. Heavy rain accompanied by thunderstorms is expected to continue across Punjab and Sindh over the next three to four days. From July 24 to July 27, cities including Lahore, Gujranwala, Sialkot, Multan, and Faisalabad are likely to receive more heavy rainfall, increasing the threat of urban flooding, overflowing drains, and waterlogging.
In Sindh, districts such as Tharparkar, Mirpurkhas, and Sukkur are also expected to experience heavy rainfall during the same period, while Karachi is forecast to remain cloudy with chances of light showers.
The government has urged citizens to exercise extreme caution. Authorities have advised people to avoid unnecessary travel during heavy rain, as strong winds, lightning, and flash flooding could pose serious risks. Residents have also been warned about possible damage to weak structures, billboards, and rooftop solar panels due to gusty winds and thunderstorms.
Farmers have been advised to plan agricultural activities according to the latest weather forecasts and ensure the safety of livestock to minimise losses caused by flooding or severe weather conditions.
Meanwhile, rising water levels in the Chenab River have once again inundated Sambal village in Chiniot. Residents said the community has been repeatedly affected by floods since 2014, with every major flood causing severe land erosion, destruction of homes, and significant agricultural losses.
Villagers expressed frustration over what they described as years of unfulfilled government promises. According to local residents, authorities had pledged to construct protective embankments and spurs following previous floods, but the projects were never completed. As a result, many homes have collapsed over the years, fertile farmland has disappeared due to erosion, and families continue to face recurring displacement whenever river levels rise.
Flooding has also caused severe damage in Daska, where a breach developed at the Nandpur section of Nullah Dek. Residents said rising water levels, triggered by heavy monsoon rains and increased cross-border water inflows, allowed floodwaters to spread rapidly into nearby villages.
Hundreds of acres of farmland in Nandpur, Mohal, Markpur, Changi, and Shatabgarh have been submerged, destroying standing crops and threatening the livelihoods of local farmers. Several link roads have also disappeared under floodwaters, cutting off villages from nearby towns and disrupting transportation.
Residents complained that emergency relief and rescue operations had yet to reach many affected areas, leaving families worried about food supplies, livestock, and access to essential services. They urged the district administration to provide immediate assistance before conditions worsen.
With more rain forecast in the coming days, disaster management authorities remain on high alert. Emergency teams have been instructed to closely monitor river levels, drainage systems, and vulnerable areas while ensuring rescue equipment is ready for rapid deployment if required.
Officials continue to urge the public to follow weather advisories, avoid flood-prone locations, and cooperate with local authorities as Punjab braces for another round of heavy monsoon rainfall.
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