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, according to official statements 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.
The ongoing downpours come as Pakistan deals with seasonal flooding and has already recorded 303 rain-related deaths, including 164 in Punjab alone, since the beginning of the season on June 26.
“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,” the statement quoted PDMA Director General Irfan Ali Kathia as saying. “We urge citizens to take precautions and not let children near rivers, canals or flooded streams.”
