LAHORE: Heavy rains expected in Punjab from Saturday will bring 30-70mm of precipitation across northern and central districts till October 7, officials warned on Friday, as a comprehensive Punjab flood survey continues to tally losses from earlier monsoon floods.
The Provincial Disaster Management Authority (PDMA) Punjab issued the alert based on meteorological data, noting showers starting early October 5 in areas from Rawalpindi to Lahore. Southern regions face lighter 5-10mm falls, but intensity peaks on October 6-7 with risks of urban flooding in Rawalpindi, Gujranwala, Gujrat, and Lahore. PDMA Director General Irfan Ali Kathia urged residents to prepare for potential overflows in the Ravi nullahs. This forecast heightens urgency for the ongoing PDMA Punjab flood assessment, launched September 27 under Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif’s directives.
These developments matter deeply in South Asia, where Punjab anchors Pakistan’s agricultural heartland. Monsoon floods have already strained food security and rural economies, displacing millions and threatening wheat yields vital for regional exports. Delays in relief could ripple into broader instability, underscoring the need for swift federal-provincial coordination amid climate-driven extremes.
Heavy Rains Forecast Signals Renewed Flood Risks
Meteorological reports predict that heavy rains expected in Punjab will dominate the weekend outlook. Northern districts like Sialkot, Gujranwala, and Lahore anticipate 30-35mm initially, escalating to 50-70mm by Sunday. Central areas, including Faisalabad and Multan, face similar threats, while southern Bahawalpur and Rahim Yar Khan prepare for 10-20mm bursts.
PDMA’s alert emphasises vigilance against flash floods from Indian inflows via the Sutlej and Ravi rivers. “No major flood emergency exists currently, but incoming rains and cross-border waters pose risks,” Kathia stated during a Lahore briefing. Authorities activated 1129 helplines and prepositioned rescue teams, including Pakistan Army units, in vulnerable zones.
This comes weeks after September’s torrents breached riverbanks, submerging 4,700 villages and forcing 2.63 million evacuations. The new heavy rains expected in Punjab could hinder recovery, complicating access to still-waterlogged fields.
Punjab Flood Survey Accelerates Damage Tally
The Punjab flood survey, now in its second week, deploys 2,213 teams across 27 affected districts and 69 tehsils. Surveyors, comprising Urban Unit staff, revenue officials, agriculture experts, and military personnel, conduct door-to-door checks, often by boat in inundated areas.
Kathia confirmed the exercise covers all flood-hit zones, with data cross-verified via NADRA records, Punjab Land Record Authority, and IT Board systems. “On the chief minister’s orders, 11,500 workers ensure transparent enumeration,” he said. Completion targets late October, feeding into compensation payouts at Bank of Punjab branches.
PDMA monitors progress in real-time through the Provincial Emergency Operation Centre, with daily updates to CM Nawaz. Teams have reached remote Chenab and Ravi breach sites, logging beneficiary details for SMS alerts on aid collection.
PDMA Punjab Flood Assessment Reveals Scale of Losses
Preliminary PDMA Punjab flood assessment figures paint a stark picture of devastation. Surveys identified 81,510 victims, including 56,207 farmers facing crop ruin on 53,985 acres. Another 24,246 houses stand damaged, alongside losses for 1,057 livestock owners, with 3,945 animals dead.
National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) data aligns, reporting 213,097 houses affected province-wide—55,134 fully destroyed—and 3,992 livestock perished since June. Human toll includes 322 deaths and 665 injuries in Punjab alone. Over 2.8 million rescues occurred, with 118,074 still in relief camps as of October 1.
Infrastructure suffers too: 1,216km of roads and 462 bridges require repairs. The Punjab rain flood damage in 2025 extends to irrigation channels, hampering post-monsoon sowing. Kathia noted challenges in accessing 10% of sites due to standing water, but teams persist.
Flood Relief in Punjab, Pakistan, Gains Momentum
Relief distribution forms the backbone of the response. PDMA dispatched 42,944 tents, 7,647 food packs, and 6,181 mosquito nets to camps by early October. Federal aid bolstered stocks with 35,080 tents and 13,200 additional packs. Rescue assets include 203 boats and 37 de-watering pumps.
Compensation mechanisms advance via ATM cards linked to verified surveys. Beneficiaries receive transport to collection centres, with payouts starting next week. CM Nawaz directed Rs21 billion for equipment upgrades, including permanent dykes in Jalalpur Pirwala.
International support aids efforts: Saudi Arabia sent five truckloads of goods, while the UN allocated USD5 million nationally. CARE distributed kits to 400 families in flood zones.
Background: Monsoon Onslaught in Punjab
Pakistan’s 2025 monsoon struck Punjab hard from late June, with river breaches along Chenab, Ravi, and Sutlej flooding low-lying belts. Over 4.7 million residents in 4,700 villages bore the brunt, marking the worst inundation since 2022. Early warnings failed in some tehsils, amplifying the Punjab rain flood damage in 2025. Federal teams joined provincial responders, evacuating 2.11 million livestock alongside humans. The crisis exposed vulnerabilities in ageing embankments, prompting calls for climate-resilient infrastructure.
What’s Next: Balancing Relief and Rain Threats
Survey completion by October 27 will unlock full Flood relief Punjab Pakistan disbursements, targeting farmers with per-acre aid. PDMA plans enhanced monitoring for heavy rains expected in Punjab, including drone assessments in high-risk areas. Relief Commissioner Nabeel Javed affirmed timely financial aid rollout, urging victims to register promptly. As skies darken, Punjab braces for a delicate recovery phase.
Published in SouthAsianDesk, October 4th, 2025
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