Punjab on monitor for 8th monsoon spell from Aug 29

• The Provincial Disaster Management Authority (PDMA) Punjab has warned the eighth spell of monsoon rains and said majority of the districts will receive rainfall from August 29 to September 5.

Rain is anticipated in Rawalpindi, Murree, Galiyat, Jhelum, Chakwal, Talagang, Attock, Sialkot, Sheikhupura, Narowal and Gujrat, said a spokesman of PDMA.

Heavy rains are also expected in Lahore, Mandi Bahauddin, Gujranwala, Wazirabad, Hafizabad, Kasur, Okara, Nankana Sahib, Sargodha, Khushab, Mianwali, Noorpur Thal, Faisalabad, Jhang, Toba Tek Singh, Layyah, Bhakkar, Sahiwal and Pakpattan.

The PDMA cautioned that urban flooding could occur in Lahore, Rawalpindi, Gujranwala, Gujrat and Sialkot, and landslides were probable in Murree, Galiyat and other mountainous places. In streams and nullahs flash floods may also occur.

PDMA Director General Saif Anwar Jappa has asked the commissioners and deputy commissioners of the entire province to be on alert. He said that the district administrations have also been put on notice on the directions of Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz.

He ordered officials in key cities to take preventative measures in advance to deal with the potential of urban flooding. The departments of Health, Irrigation, Communications and Works, Local Government and Livestock have all been put on alert.

The PDMA head asked individuals to take precautionary measures during inclement weather and not to stay in dilapidated or mud-built houses and shift to safer places during high winds and storms.

Citizens were also told to refrain from unnecessary travel, take shelter during lightning and keep children away from low-lying areas, standing water, electricity cables and poles.

The PDMA also asked the residents to stay away from open spaces during thunderstorms and bad weather. In case of any emergency, the public can call helpline 1129 of the PDMA.