The Provincial Disaster Management Authority (PDMA) issued a low-medium flood alert for the Chenab river, asking all concerned districts to stay on high alert and take precautionary measures to protect the populations in the adjacent districts.
Amid surging water levels in the rivers, the authority said that according to the report of the flood forecasting station, there was a possibility of a low-medium flood.
Citing the report, the PDMA said the water discharge in the river was recorded at 15,4890 cusecs which, it warned, may cause flooding in the areas of Hafizabad district. It advised that the adjacent districts should also complete their preparations and set up relief camps.
“According to the directives of the Punjab government, the protection of life and property of the people is the first priority,” the notification said.
Separately, the PDMA warned, quoting the Met office, that monsoon winds entering the upper and central regions of the country from July 27 and spreading to other regions on July 31, may result in another week of rains.
During this period, Rawalpindi, Murree, Attock, Chakwal, Jhelum, Sialkot, Narowal, Lahore, Gujranwala, Gujrat, Sheikhupura, Faisalabad, Jhang, Mianwali, Khushab, Sargodha, Hafizabad, Mandi Bahauddin, Sahiwal, Okara, Bhakkar, Multan, Khanewal, Pakpattan, Vehari, Rajanpur, Dera Ghazi Khan, Bahawalpur, Bahawalnagar, Rahim Yar Khan and Khanpur are likely to receive more rain with strong winds and thundershowers.
Meanwhile, the heavy rain is expected to increase the flow of water in the local and rainwater channels of the Ravi, Jhelum and Chenab rivers.
It also warned of the risk of landslides in Murree, advising tourists to plan travel while keeping in mind the weather conditions.
“An alert has been issued to the district administrations of Punjab to keep their arrangements in place and be prepared to deal with the emergency situation,” the notification said.