October 4, 2025
Web desk
The Provincial Disaster Management Authority (PDMA) has issued a flood warning as heavy monsoon rains are expected to hit Punjab from October 5 onward. Director General Irfan Ali Kathia said that areas from Rawalpindi to Lahore could experience intense rainfall over the next few days. Light showers were reported across several districts on Saturday, but officials warned that rainfall intensity is likely to increase, averaging 30–35mm on Sunday and up to 70mm in northern and central Punjab by Monday and Tuesday.
Authorities have cautioned that the rising water levels in major rivers could pose serious risks. At Head Marala, the Chenab River is currently flowing at 20,000 cusecs, with an expected surge of another 100,000 cusecs within 48 hours due to India’s silt-flushing operations at Dulhasti. Similar inflows are expected in the Sutlej River, which may release excess water into the Ravi River. The PDMA has deployed over 11,500 personnel, including army officers and local administration teams, to monitor and respond to the evolving situation.
The floods have already caused significant damage across Punjab, affecting 4,795 villages in 28 districts and displacing more than 612,000 residents. Over 2.58 million acres of farmland have been damaged, particularly in Gujrat and Faisalabad, where maize, rice, sugarcane, and cotton crops have suffered major losses. Relief efforts are underway, with 331 camps housing more than 106,000 people and 425 medical units providing assistance in affected areas.
Meanwhile, the first heavy spell of rain in Rawalpindi and Islamabad has brought a welcome drop in temperature after weeks of intense heat. Residents were seen pulling out warm clothes as the early chill set in, while roadside vendors began selling seasonal winter snacks. Meteorologists predict alternating spells of dry and wet weather across Punjab until mid-October, keeping emergency teams on alert for any sudden rise in floodwaters.
