A severe monsoon crisis escalated on July 17, prompting authorities to declare a state of emergency in multiple districts across Punjab as relentless torrential rains and flash floods claimed at least 63 lives and injured approximately 290 people over a single 24-hour period. The Pakistan Meteorological Department (PMD) had forecast this brutal weather, warning of wind-thundershower storms sweeping the nation until that date.
The worst-hit areas included Lahore (15 fatalities), Faisalabad (9), Sahiwal (5), Pakpattan (3), Okara (9), and other regions within the province. The Punjab Provincial Disaster Management Authority (PDMA) confirmed these numbers and assured that families of the deceased would receive government compensation.
Punjab’s Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz posted on X (formerly Twitter) announcing the imposition of a “rain emergency” across affected districts. She emphasized the activation of sirens, public alerts, and urged residents to remain cautious and comply with local authorities.
In Rawalpindi and Chakwal, flooding overwhelmed rivers and urban drainage systems; the Leh Nullah waterway surged dangerously, prompting authorities to evacuate residents from nearby low-lying neighborhoods. Cloudbursts in Jhelum and Chakwal caused flash floods within hours—Chakwal alone reported an astonishing 400 mm of rainfall in just ten hours. Extensive rescue operations have been underway, involving over 15,000 personnel backed by hundreds of boats and supported by army helicopters.
The Pakistan Army has conducted aerial rescues in Rawalpindi, Chakwal, Jhelum, and other affected areas, evacuating trapped residents and transporting them to safer locations. Official spokespersons from Rescue Punjab described deploying 57 rescue boats to aid those stranded in villages such as Dhok Badar and Rasoolpur.
Infrastructure has suffered widespread damage: roads, bridges, and small dams have collapsed or been washed away, including a dam in Chakwal that overflowed and inundated neighboring communities. Urban centers like College Chowk, Pindi Purani, and Jail Chowk remain submerged under two to four feet of water. There have also been tragic reports of a ten-year-old drowning while bathing in rainwater and two children being electrocuted during the storm.
In response to the crisis, public advisories have been strengthened. The Islamabad Capital Development Authority (CDA) and District Administration placed field units on alert, ready to provide emergency assistance. In Rawalpindi, local authorities declared a holiday to discourage travel and encourage citizens to stay indoors. Preventative measures under Section 144 now prohibit swimming, bathing, or unauthorized boating in flood-affected waters, extending for the next 45 days, to reduce drownings and other water-related accidents.
The PMD has issued flood alerts after rains for additional high-risk zones, including the Gawalmandi and Kattarian bridges in Rawalpindi, warning that water levels in Leh Nullah are rising with more rainfall expected in the coming 24–48 hours across Lahore, Chakwal, Attock, Jhelum, Khushab, Gujrat, Gujranwala, Faisalabad, Sialkot, Narowal, Okara, Kasur, Sheikhupura, and Hafizabad.
Nationally, these deadly rains are part of a broader monsoon crisis. Since June 26, flood-related deaths across Pakistan have climbed into the hundreds—estimates suggest over 178 deaths nationwide, with Punjab bearing the brunt alongside significant fatalities and injuries in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Sindh, and Balochistan. The NDMA has repeatedly warned of potential flash floods, landslides, and road blockages, urging tourists to avoid affected areas and prepare for weather emergencies.
Experts caution that these destructive monsoon patterns and rains mirror the catastrophic floods of 2022, which submerged one-third of the country, caused over 1,700 fatalities, and displaced millions. The PMD also highlights the accelerating pace of glacier melt in northern Pakistan—particularly Gilgit-Baltistan—creating unstable glacial lakes prone to bursting and causing flash floods that exacerbate the monsoon’s impact.
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has instructed the NDMA and all provincial governments to design a decade-long strategic plan to mitigate climate-related disasters. He visited the National Emergency Centre in Islamabad to review ongoing rescue and relief operations firsthand.
As Pakistan braces for more downpours, rescue teams are working around the clock to evacuate remaining residents in perilous zones, and authorities continue to issue urgent alerts. The PMD has strongly recommended avoiding all non-essential travel, especially near rivers, hill torrents, and flood-prone areas, until the monsoon threat subsides.
