Punjab issues alert for farmers, cities as heavy rain lashes region

LAHORE: Disaster management authorities in Punjab on Tuesday issued high alert for citizens and farmers as a major weather system bringing dust storms, heavy rains, and hail began sweeping across the region.

The Provincial Disaster Management Authority (PDMA) warned that the weather system, which arrived in Pakistan on Tuesday, is expected to trigger widespread downpours of varying intensities across almost all districts of Punjab until June 20.

The PDMA said that major urban centers — including Lahore, Rawalpindi, Gujranwala, Sialkot, and Faisalabad — face a substantial risk of urban flooding.

“In line with directives from Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz, alerts have been dispatched to all commissioners and deputy commissioners across the province to ensure maximum preparedness,” said PDMA Director General Umar Javed.

In Lahore, temperatures on Tuesday were expected to hover between a low of 39°C and a maximum of 39°C  before the rain system brings a reprieve from the summer heat.

The PDMA updated its regional forecasts, predicting heavy rainfall for northern and central districts including Rawalpindi, Attock, Chakwal, Gujrat and Mandi Bahauddin, as well as southern agricultural belts spanning Multan, Bahawalpur, Dera Ghazi Khan, and Rahim Yar Khan.

The PDMA advised farmers to take immediate precautionary measures to safeguard standing crops and livestock against sudden windstorms and hail.

Tourists heading to the northern hilly tracts and resort towns, such as Murree and the Galiyat region, have also been urged to exercise extreme caution during travel due to potential landslides and poor visibility.

Citizens have been warned to remain indoors during thunder and dust storms to avoid the risk of lightning strikes and structural collapses caused by high-velocity winds.