Heavy Rains Spark Flash Floods in Lillah Sharif
The town of Lillah Sharif in Jhelum district witnessed severe disruption on Monday as flash floods, caused by torrential rains on the Kallar Kahar hills of the Salt Range, inundated several neighborhoods and washed away the key road linking Esawaal to Lillah Sharif. The flash floods in Lillah Sharif stranded dozens of residents, damaged property, and cut off access to educational institutions.
Timely intervention by Rescue 1122 and local sanitation authorities under the Saaf Suthra Punjab initiative prevented any reported loss of life, despite the scale of the disaster.
Vulnerable Areas Submerged Amid Flash Flooding
Key Locations Affected by Floodwaters
A number of low-lying residential neighborhoods were quickly flooded, including Mohallah Islamabad, where water levels rose alarmingly fast. Efforts from emergency teams set up flood rescue points throughout the district, deploying trained personnel equipped with boats and safety equipment.
District Emergency Officer Saeed Ahmed told local media that advanced planning and rapid mobilization were essential in controlling the impact. According to him, all Rescue 1122 units were placed on high alert, with strategic deployments near known flood-prone areas like Bunhan and Gahan nullahs.
Rescue Infrastructure and Emergency Response
Flood Rescue Points Established
Rescue teams have been stationed in the following critical locations to deal with further emergencies:
| Rescue Post Location | Status |
|---|---|
| Rasulpur | Active |
| Domeli | Fully Staffed |
| Ghura Chaudhrian Nogran | Monitoring |
| Khurd | Rescue Deployed |
| Darapur | On Alert |
| Jalalpur Sharif | Fully Operational |
Residents in high-risk zones such as Domeli, Nagial, and Jhang Khokhar were advised to move with their livestock and valuables to safer locations.
Community Concerns and Damaged Infrastructure
Residents of Dhoke Rajial, Dera Nasiruddin, Dhoke Mial, Dhoke Maswal, and other nearby villages reported complete loss of road access to Lillah Sharif. Critical public buildings, including Government Primary Schools in Dera Nasiruddin and Dera Maher, were cut off.
Resham Khan, a local parent, expressed frustration that students were now unable to reach schools and colleges due to the collapsed link road.
Community-Built Road Destroyed by Floods
Public Anger Over Lack of Government Support
Locals claim the destroyed road between Lillah Sharif and Esawaal was built through a self-help effort, with each household contributing up to Rs. 20,000. Residents blamed flawed engineering in the Jalalpur Sharif Canal project, which redirected floodwater into the town.
“We built that road ourselves. Now it’s gone because the drainage plan failed us,” said a local farmer who lost access to the main town.
Calls for Government Intervention
Facing increasing public pressure, Deputy Commissioner Jhelum dispatched a senior official to assess the damage. The officer promised to recommend long-term flood protection measures for Lillah Sharif to higher authorities once the weather stabilizes.
Residents have appealed directly to Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz to prioritize the construction of a properly engineered link road with a modern drainage system.
The Bigger Picture: Climate Change and Flash Floods in Pakistan
Recurring Patterns in Flood-Prone Regions
This event is another stark reminder of the growing impact of climate change on Pakistan’s vulnerable regions. Unchecked urban development, poorly designed infrastructure, and changing rainfall patterns are turning minor hill runoff into deadly flash floods.
According to the Pakistan Meteorological Department, the frequency of such flash floods is likely to increase due to intensifying monsoon systems.
Related reading (Internal link):
➡️ Pakistan’s Breakthrough: PRSC‑EO1 Satellite Launch 2025
External credible source:
➡️ UNDP Pakistan – Climate and Disaster Resilience
Summary and Conclusion
The flash floods in Lillah Sharif have laid bare the fragile state of rural infrastructure in flood-prone areas of Punjab. Although no fatalities were reported, the loss of road access, public frustration, and the recurring nature of such disasters demand immediate and sustainable action from the provincial government.
The resilience of the local community, supported by emergency teams, has helped prevent a greater tragedy. However, unless robust drainage systems and durable road infrastructure are implemented, such events will continue to pose grave risks to lives and livelihoods.
Related : Writozy
