By Staff Reporter
ISLAMABAD: Heavy monsoon rains battered parts of Punjab and Islamabad over the past 24 hours, prompting rescue operations in the capital and a flood alert in riverine areas across the province, officials said on Wednesday.
In its latest monsoon update, the Punjab Provincial Disaster Management Authority (PDMA) warned of continued rainfall in most districts until August 7, marking the sixth spell of the current monsoon season.
“In the last 24 hours, 86mm of rainfall was recorded in Gujrat, 37mm in Narowal, 28mm in Multan, 27mm in Dera Ghazi Khan and 22mm in Jhelum,” the PDMA said in a statement, adding that rain was also reported in Sialkot, Attock, Mangla, Murree, Rawalpindi, Layyah, Mianwali, and Kot Addu.
“All district administrations have been directed to remain on alert,” PDMA Director General Irfan Ali Kathia said. “We urge citizens to take precautions and not let children near rivers, canals or flooded streams.”
Since the monsoon season began on June 26, Pakistan has recorded 303 rain-related deaths, including 164 in Punjab alone, alongside 727 injuries, 563 houses completely destroyed, and 428 livestock lost.
In the past 24 hours, three more people were reported injured due to monsoon-related accidents. In Islamabad, rescue teams evacuated more than 40 residents after floodwaters inundated homes in Chattha Bakhtawar, a low-lying area of the capital.
Islamabad’s Capital Development Authority (CDA) said no injuries were reported during the operation on Tuesday, where 12 emergency personnel responded swiftly, evacuating up to 45 people and clearing the area.
The spillway of Rawal Dam was opened at 11:00 AM after water levels reached 1,750.90 feet, according to a notice from Islamabad authorities, who advised residents to avoid surrounding water bodies and take safety measures.
The PDMA reported normal water flow in major rivers, the Indus, Jhelum, Chenab, Ravi, and Sutlej, with only a low-level flood at Tarbela on the Indus River. Tarbela Dam is currently 95 percent full, Mangla Dam at 62 percent, while Indian dams across the eastern rivers stand at 56 percent capacity, the PDMA added.
Meanwhile, a severe food shortage looms in Ghizer district of Gilgit-Baltistan, where floods have severed connections to other areas by damaging the Gilgit-Shandoor road, Dawn newspaper reported. Local residents remain stranded, with mobility, even for emergencies, rendered impossible due to extensive road damage.
A flood in a nullah in Khotom village six days ago blocked the Ghizer river, raising water levels and submerging the Gilgit-Shandoor road. Areas such as Phander, Khalti, Teero, and up to Shandur top remain cut off. An official from Rescue 1122 told Dawn that heavy machinery has been deployed to restore the road, but efforts are hampered as the route remains underwater.
“It would take some time to reopen the road,” the official said, noting the blocked section lies in challenging terrain, complicating repairs. Locals reported that delays have triggered shortages of food and medicine, preventing travel even in emergencies. “The road closure has created a shortage of food and medicines in the area,” said Amjad Hussain, a resident. “Patients are facing severe difficulties as locals are unable to transfer them to hospitals.”
Residents are attempting to restore an old road for foot access to other areas. “The residents are facing severe mental anguish due to the road closure and uncertain situation,” said Meraj Ali Shah, another local.
On Monday, the Ghizer administration sought a no-objection certificate (NOC) from Chitral authorities to transport edible items to Phander valley via the Shandoor Road. In a letter to the Upper Chitral deputy commissioner, the district magistrate said the blocked Gilgit-Shandoor road has left residents facing an acute shortage of essentials like flour and fuel, with restoration work expected to take time.
In Ghizer’s Ishkoman valley, residents are grappling with destruction from cloudburst-induced floods. A deluge on Wednesday submerged a fish farm and properties in Dain village. Locals said the floods completely destroyed two dozen homes, partially damaged over 50, and ruined agricultural land and other assets.
They have demanded the government declare Ishkoman a calamity-hit area and impose an emergency. “The displaced population were not even provided with tents, food and other essential items,” locals told Dawn, highlighting the lack of aid for those affected.
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