Rain and hail damage wheat and orchards across Punjab as more showers are forecast

LAHORE: Heavy rain and hail affected several districts of Punjab over the last 24 hours, damaging wheat and other crops in the southern belt of the province on Tuesday, according to details shared by the Provincial Disaster Management Authority (PDMA) and local officials.

A PDMA spokesperson said Faisalabad received the highest rainfall during the period, with 46mm recorded in the city. In Faisalabad, Gulistan Colony received 32mm of rain, while 31mm was recorded at the Wasa Head Office. Noorpur Thal recorded 34mm rainfall and Fort Munro in Dera Ghazi Khan received 32mm.

Bhakkar recorded 18mm and Murree 16mm. In Mianwali district, Piplan received 12mm and Isa Khel 11mm, while Kot Addu also recorded 11mm. Attock and Rahim Yar Khan each received 10mm. Different parts of Rawalpindi recorded between 6mm and 10mm rainfall.

Multan recorded up to 10mm rainfall, while Khanewal (Joharabad) received 9mm. Bahawalpur city received 9mm, while 5mm was recorded at the airport. Jhelum recorded 8mm. Chakwal, Toba Tek Singh, Layyah and Okara each received 6mm. Rajanpur and Bahawalnagar recorded 4mm each, while Sargodha received 3mm. Light rainfall of 2mm each was recorded in Mandi Bahauddin, Jhang, Gujrat, Hafizabad and Sahiwal.

The rain spell was more severe in southern districts, where hail and strong winds caused notable losses to mature wheat crops and orchards. Farmers in Multan, Kot Addu, Layyah, Muzaffargarh, Dera Ghazi Khan, Lodhran and Khanewal reported damage as hail hit fields close to harvest time, increasing concern among growers over lower output.

Officials said areas around Multan also experienced intermittent showers and gusty winds. In urban areas, rainwater collected in low-lying localities, leading municipal authorities to begin drainage work.

Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz directed all administrative departments to stay alert and ensure effective drainage arrangements. She ordered the full use of Wasa machinery and modern equipment to prevent urban flooding and facilitate residents.

In Lahore, Commissioner Maryam Khan visited Ferozepur Road and Qartaba Chowk to review drainage operations. Wasa officials briefed her on steps being taken to keep underpasses and major roads clear, while emergency teams were deployed in low-lying areas.

In Multan, Wasa Managing Director Faisal Shaukat put all disposal stations on high alert and instructed staff to work at full capacity. Field teams were deployed across the city for timely drainage of rainwater, while senior officials carried out inspections and monitored the operation.

Sanitation work also continued in Lahore, where the Suthra Punjab Agency kept cleaning teams active on major roads for waste removal and cleanliness during the rain.

The PDMA warned that the current weather spell was likely to continue till Wednesday and directed all relevant departments to remain on high alert to deal with any emergency situation. Authorities also urged farmers to take precautionary steps where possible, while emergency services remained on standby.

More rain forecast in Punjab

The Pakistan Meteorological Department forecast cloudy weather on Wednesday, with widespread intermittent rain-windstorm and thunderstorm expected in Kashmir, Murree, Galiyat, Rawalpindi, Attock, Chakwal, Jhelum, Sargodha, Mianwali, Faisalabad, Jhang, Toba Tek Singh, Khushab, Noor Pur Thal, Gujrat, Gujranwala, Hafizabad, Mandi Bahauddin, Sialkot, Narowal, Lahore, Pakpattan, Okara and Kasur.

The PMD also said heavy falls and hailstorm were expected in Kashmir, the Pothohar region and northeastern districts of Punjab.