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- Provincial Disaster Management Authority advises citizens to avoid swimming in rivers, canals and streams
- It asks people to stay in safe areas as intense rainfall is expected in several regions during the next 24 hours
ISLAMABAD: The ongoing spell of monsoon rains is expected to continue across most districts of Pakistan’s Punjab province until July 13, the Provincial Disaster Management Authority (PDMA) said on Wednesday, urging residents to take precautionary measures amid forecasts of intense downpours in the next 24 hours.
In the last 24 hours, significant rainfall was recorded in several cities, including Khanewal (51mm), Rawalpindi (42mm), Sahiwal (44mm) and Murree (41mm), according to the PDMA spokesperson. Lahore received 23mm of rain, while Okara recorded 30mm, Mandi Bahauddin 27mm, Mangla 24mm and Toba Tek Singh 13mm.
“The monsoon spell is likely to persist across the province until July 13,” said Irfan Ali Kathia, Director General of Punjab PDMA, in a statement.
“Severe rainfall is expected in several regions during the next 24 hours,” he added.
Kathia advised citizens to avoid swimming in rivers, canals and streams, warning that Punjab’s government has imposed Section 144 to restrict public access to water bodies due to the risk of flooding and drowning.
“People should stay in safe areas during thunderstorms and avoid taking shelter in mud houses or dilapidated buildings,” he said. “Drivers are urged to reduce speed during rainfall and maintain safe distances to avoid accidents.”