Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif has directed all concerned authorities to remain on high alert amid forecasts of heavy rains and possible cloudbursts across the province.
Issuing instructions to the Provincial Disaster Management Authority (PDMA), administration, police, and rescue services, she stressed the need for immediate preemptive measures.
She ordered deputy commissioners and relevant officials to stay active in the field and ensure full compliance with PDMA guidelines.
The chief minister particularly highlighted the risk of cloudbursts in Upper Punjab and possible flash floods in Koh-e-Sulaiman and riverine areas. She instructed authorities to make special arrangements in Murree, Rawalpindi, Jhelum, Chakwal, and Koh-e-Sulaiman districts.
In view of safety risks, Maryam Nawaz approved restrictions on tourist travel to Murree and nearby areas, citing dangers of cloudbursts, landslides, and heavy rains.
Acting on her orders, PDMA Punjab began mobilizing resources and directed deputy commissioners to take preventive steps in anticipation of unusual river flows.
Boats, life jackets, and other equipment have been supplied to residents in vulnerable riverine communities, while immediate evacuation measures have also been initiated.
The chief minister further ordered a ban on bathing in rivers, canals, and streams and directed police to intensify patrolling along riverbanks. She also appealed to parents to keep children away from waterways during the high-risk period.