PDMA issues alert as ninth monsoon spell forecast to hit Punjab till Sept 17

The Punjab Provincial Disaster Management Authority (PDMA) on Saturday issued an alert for the ninth and final spell of monsoon rains, with rain forecast in most districts of the province from today till September 17. Rain is forecast in Rawalpindi, Jhelum, Chakwal, Talagang and Attock from today till September 17, a PDMA spokesperson said. Lahore remains dry and hot today, with the minimum temperature expected at 27°C and the maximum likely to reach 36°C. According to the Punjab PDMA, from tomorrow until September 17, rain was expected in Lahore, Sialkot, Sheikhupura, Narowal, Mandi Bahauddin, Gujranwala, Gujrat, Wazirabad, Hafizabad, Kasur, Okara, Nankana Sahib and Sargodha. "Rain is also expected in Khushab, Mianwali, Noorpur Thal, Faisalabad, Jhang, Toba Tek Singh, Layyah, Bhakkar, Sahiwal, Dera Ghazi Khan, Multan and surrounding areas," it added. Punjab PDMA Director General Saif Anwar Jappa said there was a risk of landslides in Murree, Galiyat and mountainous areas and directed commissioners and deputy commissioners across Punjab to remain alert. “Following the directions of the Punjab chief minister, an alert has been issued to district administrations,” he added, adding further that administrations in major cities should remain on advance alert in view of urban flooding caused by monsoon rains. Rawalpindi, Lahore, Gujranwala and Faisalabad face a risk of urban flooding, while rain-fed streams face a risk of flash flooding. Alerts have also been issued to the health, irrigation, communications and works, local government and livestock departments, he said. Read: Five-day rain spell puts Punjab, K-P on alert Punjab PDMA Director General Muhammad Saif Anwar Jappa urged citizens to take precautions during adverse weather and avoid living in dilapidated or mud-built houses. “More deaths have been reported during the monsoon season due to the collapse of mud-built and dilapidated houses,” he said. Jappa further said, “Stay in safe places during storms and avoid unnecessary travel,” and also advised citizens to stay in safe places to protect themselves from lightning. “Take special care of children and do not allow them to go into low-lying areas or near water, electrical wires or poles, and people should never go into open areas during thunder, lightning and stormy conditions,” Jappa added. In an emergency, contact the PDMA helpline at 1129, the spokesperson said. GLOF risk rises amid heavy rains in north Earlier on September 2, the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) warned of a heightened risk of glacial lake outburst floods (GLOFs) in Gilgit-Baltistan (G-B), Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa (K-P) and Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK) as ongoing monsoon rains and rising temperatures accelerate glacier melt. The NDMA has also issued a potential flood alert for G-B, K-P and AJK due to the possible outburst of glacial lakes. The risk of glacial lake outburst floods (GLOFs) has increased due to rapidly melting glaciers caused by ongoing monsoon rains and rising temperatures. Ghizer, Hunza, Nagar, Shigar, Gilgit, Rondu, Diamer, Astore, Skardu, Ghanche, Kharmang and Neelum Valley have been identified as vulnerable areas. Read more: Fresh rains trigger flood risk The NDMA has urged the public to stay informed about weather conditions, early warnings, and instructions issued by district administrations. The public is also advised to use the Pak NDMA Disaster Alert App for the latest information and alerts.