Monsoon rains trigger floods across Pakistan, 3 missing in Khyber

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Islamabad: Monsoon rains have brought welcome relief from intense heat across Pakistan’s upper regions, but the downpours have also triggered flash floods, rising river levels and widespread disruption.

Authorities have issued fresh flood and urban flooding alerts as another powerful spell of monsoon rain is expected to continue over the coming days.

Heavy rain caused flash flooding in several parts of Khyber district, where two vehicles were swept away in floodwaters.

According to police, one vehicle was carried away by a flash flood in Sultan Khel, while another car was swept away near Zakaria Mosque in the Khoga Khel area of Landi Kotal tehsil.

Women and children travelling in one of the vehicles were rescued safely. However, police said three people are still reported missing after the flooding.

Authorities confirmed that all occupants of the vehicle swept away near Zakaria Mosque were rescued safely.

Heavy rainfall also caused seasonal streams and rain-fed drains in Landi Kotal to overflow, submerging several roads and highways.

The Pakistan Meteorological Department has warned that more rainfall is likely in Khyber until this evening, raising concerns over further flash flooding.

Rain eases heat across Punjab

Intermittent rain continued in Abbottabad, Gilgit and surrounding areas, where overflowing rivers and seasonal streams affected several mountainous locations.

Thunderstorms and lightning were also reported in Attock, Taxila and other parts of upper Punjab, bringing much-needed relief from the recent heatwave.

Second spell of monsoon reaches Punjab

The Provincial Disaster Management Authority (PDMA) announced that the second spell of monsoon rains is expected to reach Lahore from today.

The authority warned that rainfall is likely to continue until July 24 and issued an urban flooding alert for Lahore and other low-lying areas.

According to the PDMA, water levels in Punjab’s rivers are expected to rise through July 24.

Flood warnings have been issued for rivers connected to the Ravi and Chenab systems, while flash flooding is also feared in the hill torrents of Dera Ghazi Khan.

Chenab River water level continues to rise

Authorities reported a low-level flood in the Chenab River as water levels continued to increase. At Head Qadirabad in Hafizabad, the inflow reached 138,000 cusecs, while the outflow stood at 115,000 cusecs, resulting in low-level flooding.

The local administration said the option of breaching the Mani Tawi embankment is under consideration to reduce pressure on the river system.

Officials said increased water releases from India’s Baglihar and Salal dams have placed additional pressure on Head Marala and Khanki.