Punjab on High Alert over Flood Threat as Heavy Rains continue until August 5

With days of heavy rain forecast until August 5, as authorities sounded flood warning, urging residents to stay alert as rising water levels, urban flooding and landslides threaten several districts. According to forecast, heavy rainfall is expected to lash Lahore, Kasur, Sheikhupura, Nankana Sahib, Faisalabad, Jhang, Toba Tek Singh, Chiniot, Sargodha, Sahiwal, Okara, Pakpattan, Rawalpindi, Murree, Galiyat, Gujranwala, Sialkot and Narowal. Several districts of southern Punjab are also likely to receive moderate to heavy showers over the coming days. PDMA warned that low-lying areas of Lahore, Rawalpindi, Gujranwala, Gujrat, Sialkot, Faisalabad and Multan could witness urban flooding if rainfall intensifies. Adding to the concern, officials cautioned that heavy rainfall in upper catchment areas could significantly increase water flows in rivers, streams and hill torrents, raising the possibility of flooding in vulnerable locations.