Heavy Rains Trigger Emergency in Gujrat, Says PDMA DG

Lahore: Director General of the Punjab Disaster Management Authority (PDMA), Irfan Ali Kathia, said on Saturday that Gujrat district has been facing an emergency situation for the past 24 hours due to heavy rainfall. He confirmed that machinery from all departments is actively engaged in draining floodwater across the city.

Speaking to the media in Lahore, Kathia noted that the tenth monsoon spell, expected to last until September 9, is causing continued downpours across the province. He also reported a tragic incident in Jalalpur Pirwala, where a boat capsized, claiming the lives of a 70-year-old woman and four children.

According to PDMA, Rescue 1122 boats have completed 25,146 operations across Punjab so far, rescuing 10 people in the past 24 hours. The Punjab Chief Minister has taken notice of the Jalalpur tragedy, directed arrangements for the victims’ burials, and announced financial aid for the affected family within 24 hours.

Kathia said that in Gujrat, major roads including Railway Road and Shah Jahangir Road have been cleared for traffic, while water is still standing on Jinnah Chowk and Kutchery Road, expected to be drained within 22 hours.

Updating on rivers, he stated that water levels in all three major rivers are stabilizing. At Head Trimmu, a peak flow of 583,000 cusecs has been recorded, which may exceed 590,000 cusecs in the next 12–18 hours. At Head Punjnad, water levels continue to rise and are expected to cross 600,000 cusecs.

So far, 25 districts in Punjab have been affected, impacting over 4.15 million people. Around 60,000–70,000 displaced individuals are residing in relief camps where food and basic necessities are being provided. Nearly 200,000 people have received medical treatment at 500 camps, while more than 2 million people have been relocated to safer areas. The floods have claimed at least 56 lives across Punjab to date.