LAHORE: In response to severe monsoon rains and flood threats, the Punjab government announced the enforcement of Section 144 across the entire province on Thursday. The move aims to prevent accidents and ensure public safety during the ongoing weather emergency.
A notification from the Punjab Home Department strictly bans swimming in dams, rivers, canals, ponds, and lakes. It also prohibits bathing in rainwater collected in streets, roads, open spaces, or public areas. Furthermore, boating in water bodies without official permission has been outright banned until August 30, when these restrictions are set to be reviewed.
Earlier in the day, Punjab declared a rain emergency after heavy downpours caused widespread damage and claimed 63 lives over the past 24 hours. Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz, in a social media message on platform X, stated that the flood situation has led to the declaration of a rain emergency in various regions of the province.
The Provincial Disaster Management Authority (PDMA) Punjab published a detailed report highlighting the toll of the monsoon rains. The report indicates that so far this season, the rains have caused 103 fatalities, injured 393 people, damaged 128 houses, and resulted in the death of six livestock animals. The authorities continue to monitor the situation and coordinate relief efforts.
