Monsoon Floods Kill 107 in Punjab as Lahore Braces for Another Powerful Spell

Pakistan's catastrophic monsoon season has claimed at least 107 lives and injured 344 others since late June, with the National Disaster Management Authority warning of another powerful rainfall system bearing down on Punjab from July 29. The Ravi and Chenab rivers are rising toward medium-to-high flood levels, and vast areas between Lahore and Gujranwala are already submerged.

Flood Death Toll Passes 107 as NDMA Warns of More Rain

Pakistan's monsoon season has turned catastrophic, with at least 107 people confirmed killed and 344 others injured since heavy rains began in late June, the National Disaster Management Authority disclosed on July 27. Hundreds of homes have been damaged across the country, with Punjab bearing the brunt of the flooding. The NDMA confirmed the death toll to local media on Sunday, noting that rain-related incidents since late June have steadily driven up the casualty count. Punjab's monsoon season typically runs through September, meaning weeks more of potentially severe weather lie ahead. Authorities warned that additional heavy downpours are expected in the coming days, compounding the strain on communities already dealing with flooded homes and disrupted infrastructure. The scale of the disaster underscores the vulnerability of Pakistan's flood-prone lowlands to intense monsoon events. Families across Punjab are facing dangerous conditions as waterlogged roads and rising rivers cut off access to affected areas, complicating rescue and relief operations. The NDMA's disclosure came amid warnings that the worst of the season may still be ahead for both Lahore and surrounding districts. [1]

Punjab Bans Water Activities as New Monsoon Spell Approaches July 29

The Pakistan Meteorological Department on July 27 forecast a powerful new monsoon spell beginning July 29, expected to affect Islamabad, upper Punjab, Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa, Azad Kashmir, Gilgit-Baltistan and the upper catchment areas of Pakistan's major rivers. The weather department warned that urban flooding and rising water levels in hill streams and nullahs were likely once the system moved in. The Flood Forecasting Division confirmed increased flows at Marala on the Chenab and Balloki on the Ravi, while the Indus, Jhelum and Kabul rivers were already in low-level flood. Over the preceding 24 hours, Noorpur Thal recorded 115 millimetres of rainfall, Gujranwala 107mm and Gujrat 94mm. In direct response to the worsening flood risk, the Punjab government imposed Section 144 across the province, banning swimming, bathing in accumulated rainwater and unauthorised boating at all water bodies for 60 days. The Punjab Home Department notification covers dams, rivers, canals, ponds and lakes — a community safety measure aimed at preventing drowning fatalities as flood conditions persist. Rain is expected to continue in Lahore and across much of Punjab throughout the period. [3]

Ravi and Chenab Rivers Rising to Medium-High Flood Levels Near Lahore

Pakistan's two rivers flanking Lahore were heading toward medium-to-high flood levels as of July 26, with official sources warning that dangerous levels were expected to be reached within hours. The Ravi River and the Chenab — which together drain a vast swath of Punjab — were rising in response to heavy upstream rainfall, creating serious risk for communities in their flood corridors. The situation was vividly documented near Muridke, along the G.T. Road between Lahore and Gujranwala, where trees stood fully submerged in floodwaters that had inundated vast areas of Punjab, as photographed by the provincial irrigation department. The scale of rural inundation in this corridor indicated that the flooding had already moved well beyond urban drain overflows into agricultural and residential areas between Lahore and Gujranwala. Farmers and residents in low-lying areas near both rivers faced significant risk of further damage as water levels continued to climb. The July 26 report arrived days before the next forecast monsoon system, meaning river levels were likely to rise further before any relief. Government irrigation officials were monitoring the situation and tracking flows at key measurement points along both rivers. [10]

Mera Pyara Child Safety Centre Wins UN Recognition After Reuniting 82,000 Children

Punjab's Mera Pyara Child Safety Centre, which locates missing children and returns them to their families, has received formal recognition from the United Nations after reuniting more than 82,000 missing children with their families over just two years of operation. The achievement is extraordinary by any measure: a rate of over 82,000 successful reunifications in two years translates to over 100 children brought home every day, reflecting the scale of both the problem and the programme's operational effectiveness. The UN recognition positions Mera Pyara as an internationally significant model for child protection, drawing attention to Punjab's approach to one of the most sensitive community welfare challenges facing Pakistan's densely populated cities. Lahore and other major Punjab centres generate significant numbers of missing child cases — through accidental separation, abduction or exploitation — and the centre has been meeting this challenge at exceptional scale. For families who had lost hope of finding a missing child, the centre's reach has been life-changing. The international recognition is expected to raise Mera Pyara's profile globally and may prompt similar child safety programmes to be established in other provinces and countries facing comparable child welfare challenges. [9]

🗳️ Barrister Zafarullah Khan Appointed as New Punjab Advocate General

The Punjab government appointed Barrister Zafarullah Khan, Advocate Supreme Court of Pakistan, as the new Advocate General for Punjab, with the appointment taking immediate effect on July 28. The formal notification was issued by the Punjab Law and Parliamentary Affairs Department on the directive of the Punjab Governor, who cited the public interest in making the appointment. Zafarullah Khan replaces Muhammad Amjad Pervaiz, who was recently recommended by the Judicial Commission of Pakistan for elevation as an additional judge of the Lahore High Court — the vacancy that necessitated the new appointment. The Advocate General's office is the provincial government's principal legal representative in courts, making the post significant given the volume of litigation Punjab faces across its courts. Barrister Zafarullah Khan's designation as an Advocate Supreme Court of Pakistan indicates he holds one of the country's highest legal qualifications, making him well positioned for the role. The appointment was made under terms established in the department's May 20, 2025 notification, taking effect immediately upon the Governor's directive, giving Zafarullah Khan immediate charge of Punjab's legal representation in courts at all levels. [4]

Sources: [1] Al Jazeera · [3] The Express Tribune · [10] Dawn · [9] dailyindependent.com.pk · [4] The News Pakistan