Lahore, July 18, 2025: The Provincial Disaster Management Authority (PDMA) Punjab has issued a high flood warning for the Indus River at Kalabagh and Chashma, following the deadliest day of this year’s monsoon season, which claimed at least 63 lives amid widespread riverine and urban flooding across the province.
According to the Flood Forecasting Division, the Indus River is expected to reach high flood levels at Kalabagh and Chashma within the next 24 hours. In response, the PDMA has dispatched urgent advisories to the divisional commissioners of Sargodha and Dera Ghazi Khan, urging heightened vigilance and preparedness across vulnerable districts.
The PDMA has directed district administrations to activate flood monitoring and early warning systems, ensure Rescue 1122 is on high alert with pre-positioned search and rescue teams, establish relief and medical camps at safe locations, stocked with food, clean drinking water, electricity, and sanitation, keep District Emergency Operation Centres (DEOCs) functional round-the-clock, stockpile essential medicines and waterborne disease treatments, relocate livestock to safer areas and arrange veterinary care and conduct proper data collection and post-flood analysis.
The warning follows record rainfall across several districts on July 17. In Rawalpindi, the heaviest downpour of the season triggered flash flooding in Nullah Leh, prompting the district administration to declare a public holiday. Multiple city areas were submerged, and emergency services remained stretched.
In Chakwal, officials recorded a staggering 430mm of rainfall in just 10 hours, resulting in severe flooding that cut off rural communities and led to the declaration of a district-wide emergency.
The Pakistan Meteorological Department (PMD) has forecast further deterioration in weather conditions, warning of another powerful monsoon spell expected from July 20 to 25.
Monsoon currents are currently penetrating Sindh and northern Pakistan, with a fresh westerly wave expected to enter upper regions by July 21, triggering widespread heavy to very heavy rainfall across Punjab.
From July 20 to 25, scattered rain and thunderstorms—accompanied by heavy falls—are expected in Northern and Central Punjab including Rawalpindi, Murree, Galliyat, Chakwal, Attock, Jhelum, Gujrat, Gujranwala, Sialkot, Narowal, Lahore, Sheikhupura, Mandi Bahauddin, Hafizabad, Nankana Sahib, Faisalabad, Jhang, Toba Tek Singh, Okara, Kasur, Khushab, Sargodha, Chiniot, Bhakkar, and Mianwali.
These rains are expected to occur intermittently, with occasional breaks.
Earlier this week, NDMA Chairman Lt Gen Inam Haider Malik briefed the prime minister at the National Emergencies Operation Centre (NEOC), stating that this year’s monsoon is 60 to 70% more intense than in 2024, with average regional rainfall already 65% above normal.
He revealed that Pakistan typically experiences 8 to 9 monsoon spells, but this year’s cycle has already seen two to three extra spells, with the third ongoing since June 26 now nearing its end.
“We must remain prepared for four to five more active spells in the coming weeks,” he warned.
