A state of emergency has been declared in several districts of Punjab due to severe flooding triggered by heavy rains, the Water and Sanitation Agency (WASA) announced on Thursday.

Director General of Punjab WASA, Tayyab Farid, reported that rivers have overflowed in Rawalpindi, Chakwal, and surrounding areas, leading to a critical flood situation.

Rescue Punjab spokesperson Farooq Ahmed confirmed that the heavy rains have resulted in 33 fatalities and 176 injuries across the province. The casualties include 13 in Lahore, eight in Faisalabad, and others in various districts.

The Pakistan Meteorological Department (PMD) has issued a warning of torrential rains and wind-thundershowers expected to continue across the country until July 17.

Citizens have been urged to avoid unnecessary travel and to stay away from power lines and open manholes. A flood alert has been issued for Gawalmandi and Kattarian bridges in Rawalpindi, as water levels in Leh Nullah continue to rise.

The DG PDMA warned residents of low-lying areas to cooperate with evacuation efforts if necessary, and strict action will be taken against anyone gathering near Leh Nullah.

In response to the emergency, a local holiday has been declared in Rawalpindi. Rescue operations are currently underway in Jhelum to evacuate citizens trapped in floodwaters, with over 40 individuals already rescued. The Pakistan Army and rescue teams are actively involved in transporting residents to safety.