Punjab finalises monsoon plans as Murree restrictions and GB glacier hazard alerts issued

LAHORE: Authorities in Punjab and the northern regions have stepped up monsoon preparedness, with Lahore finalising emergency arrangements for possible flooding, Murree imposing restrictions at dangerous water sites, and the National Disaster Management Authority issuing a warning over glacier melt-related risks in Gilgit-Baltistan.

A meeting chaired by Lahore Deputy Commissioner Captain (retd) Muhammad Ali Ejaz reviewed preparations to tackle possible urban and riverine flooding during the coming monsoon season. Senior officials from the district administration, Water and Sanitation Agency, Metropolitan Corporation Lahore, Ravi Urban Development Authority, Rescue 1122, the Irrigation Department and other relevant agencies took part in the session.

Officials examined contingency plans for potential flooding and reviewed the condition of protective embankments, drainage systems and emergency response arrangements. The Irrigation Department and RUDA briefed participants on flood protection embankments, while WASA and MCL outlined drain-cleaning and water disposal operations already under way.

WASA told the meeting that 617 dewatering sets and 134 disposal stations were fully functional. MCL also shared its plan to keep 70 dewatering sets on high alert in Lahore’s nine administrative zones. Rescue 1122 presented its water rescue and emergency response strategy, while Civil Defence said 139 trained volunteers were available for emergency duty.

Flood monitoring and relief arrangements

The district administration said monitoring was continuing along 38.95 miles of protective embankments in riverine areas. It added that safety arrangements had been completed for 35 settlements situated along the Ravi River. Authorities have also designated 65 relief camps for immediate support to residents in affected localities.

The deputy commissioner directed all departments to complete precautionary and administrative steps before the start of monsoon rains. He also instructed the District Emergency Control Room to remain operational round the clock and stressed the need for close coordination among all agencies.

The government has also advised people not to stay in dilapidated or structurally unsafe buildings during the monsoon season, warning that such structures could become dangerous during heavy rainfall.

Murree imposes safety curbs

In Murree, the district administration has enforced Section 144 at hazardous water locations to prevent drowning incidents. A notification prohibited swimming, bathing and recreational activity at waterfalls, dams, streams and other risky water bodies. Public access has been restricted at Bansra Waterfall, Bansra Dam, Samli Dam and other identified places.

The administration said the tighter measures were introduced after recent rainfall and a series of drowning incidents in which three young men died at different locations within a week. Under Section 144, gatherings and water-based recreational activities have been banned for 30 days from June 6. Authorities warned that violators would face legal action and urged both tourists and residents to avoid dangerous water sites.

NDMA warns of risks in Nagar district

Separately, the NDMA issued an alert for Hispar village in Nagar district, saying glacier melt had triggered riverbank erosion and landslides. According to the alert, rising water levels linked to accelerated glacier melt have disrupted access beyond Nagar’s main chowk area.

The authority said increasing temperatures in Gilgit-Baltistan had sped up glacier melt. It added that water flow and river levels were continuing to rise because of melting in the Hispar-Hopper glacier system, increasing the risk of further erosion and landslides in vulnerable areas.

According to the latest weather outlook, mainly hot and dry conditions are expected across most districts of Punjab on Sunday, with very hot weather likely in the southern parts of the province. Kashmir is expected to remain partly cloudy, while isolated rain and gusty winds affected parts of central Punjab and Kashmir during the previous 24 hours.