Provincial Disaster Management Authority (PDMA) Punjab has issued a flood alert in the province due to heavy rain predictions over the catchment areas of major rivers and streams.
There is a risk of flooding in the upper reaches of the rivers due to heavy rains in the next 48 hours, reads a press release issued by the PDMA on Sunday evening. High to exceptionally high flooding is expected in the Chenab, Ravi and Sutlej rivers.
Urban flooding is also expected in Rawalpindi, Lahore and Gujranwala divisions. Flash flooding is expected in the northern and northeastern districts of the province.
PDMA Punjab has put commissioners and deputy commissioners across the province on alert to cope with any emergency. Alerts have been issued to the local government, agriculture, irrigation, health, forest, livestock and transport departments with the directions to finalise necessary arrangements and be ready to cope with any emergency during rains and high flood levels.
PDMA Director General Irfan Ali Kathia directed the relevant officers and departments to complete all arrangements in light of the instructions of the Chief Minister of Punjab.
“Deploy rescue teams in advance at sensitive locations to deal with any emergency. In case of heavy rain, inform the citizens in advance. Announcements should be made in mosques and instructions should be issued to the citizens at the local level to move to safe places”, he said.
He requested the public at large to fully cooperate with the district administration and rescue agencies. “Follow the instructions issued by the PDMA. In case of a citizen emergency, contact PDMA’s helpline 1129”, he said, adding that all efforts would be made to save public life and property during rains and floods.
