10th spell of monsoon to hit Punjab tomorrow, heavy rains predicted

Lahore: After Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, the Provincial Disaster Management Authority (PDMA) of Punjab has issued an alert regarding the 10th spell of monsoon, with a series of storms starting tomorrow.

A spokesperson for the Disaster Management Authority Punjab said that there is a possibility of heavy stormy rains in most districts of the province from September 6 to 9, in view of which citizens have been asked to take precautionary measures.

According to the PDMA spokesperson, rains are expected in Rawalpindi, Murree, Galiat, Attock, Chakwal, Jhelum, Gujranwala, Lahore, Gujarat, and Sialkot. In addition to this, rains are also likely to occur in Narowal, Hafizabad, Mandi Bahauddin, Okara, Sahiwal, Kasur, Jhang, Sargodha, and Mianwali.

Director General (DG) PDMA Irfan Ali Kathia said that rains are also expected in the southern Punjab areas of Dera Ghazi Khan, Multan, and Rajanpur, while there is a risk of flash flooding in the rivers of Dera Ghazi Khan from September 7 to 9.

There is also a flood situation in the Chenab, Ravi, and Sutlej rivers. There is a risk of overflowing rivers and canals in major cities. PDMA has issued instructions to commissioners, deputy commissioners and other administrative officers across the province to remain alert.

The health, irrigation, construction and communications, local government, and livestock departments have also been alerted so that any emergency can be dealt with on time.

DG Irfan Ali Kathia has appealed to the public to take precautionary measures in bad weather, avoid going near rivers and canals, stay in safe places in case of wind and storm, and avoid unnecessary travel.

In case of an emergency, citizens can immediately contact the PDMA helpline 1129.