Lahore among six Punjab cities placed on urban flood watch amid heavy rains forecast

The Flood Forecasting Division (FFD) of the Pakistan Meteorological Department (PMD) has warned of urban flooding in six major cities of Punjab over the next 24 hours following forecasts of heavy monsoon rains.

The warning targets Lahore, Rawalpindi, Gujranwala, Faisalabad, Sialkot, and Gujrat.

The forecast coincides with a fresh monsoon spell across the province. The Provincial Disaster Management Authority (PDMA) placed local administrations on high alert, with widespread rainfall expected across Punjab through August 21.

The FFD noted that the Indus River at Kalabagh will likely maintain low to medium flood levels, while Tarbela, Chashma, Taunsa, and Guddu expect low-level flooding.

The Chenab River at Marala, Khanki, and Qadirabad will experience low-level flooding. The Kabul River at Nowshera will also reach low-flood levels. The Ravi River at Sidhnai will reach low-flood category, while remaining in the same bracket at Balloki.

Between August 18 and 21, the Jhelum River at Mangla will attain low-flood levels. Stations along the Chenab and Ravi rivers will reach similar thresholds. Streams adjoining the Chenab and Ravi face potential low to medium flooding.

Tributaries of the Kabul River and hill torrents in the Dera Ghazi Khan division face flash flood risks.

Water statistics from the Water and Power Authority recorded an inflow of 258,700 cusecs and an outflow of 258,100 cusecs at Tarbela on the Indus River. At Nowshera, the Kabul River carried 32,500 cusecs with an equal outflow. Flow at Khairabad Bridge reached 277,500 cusecs.

The Jhelum River at Mangla recorded an inflow of 26,300 cusecs against an outflow of 7,000 cusecs. The Chenab River at Marala registered an inflow of 67,000 cusecs and an outflow of 42,400 cusecs.

At key barrages, Jinnah recorded an inflow of 373,100 cusecs and an outflow of 365,000 cusecs. Chashma recorded an inflow of 334,500 cusecs against an outflow of 325,700 cusecs.

Taunsa recorded an inflow of 341,200 cusecs and an outflow of 320,800 cusecs. Guddu reported an inflow of 242,500 cusecs and an outflow of 206,100 cusecs, while Sukkur saw an inflow of 176,200 cusecs against an outflow of 122,200 cusecs.

Kotri recorded an inflow of 157,300 cusecs and an outflow of 114,900 cusecs. Trimmu recorded 39,800 cusecs against 27,800 cusecs outflow, while Panjnad recorded an inflow of 45,900 cusecs and an outflow of 31,300 cusecs.