Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) announced on Thursday that all flights previously scheduled to depart from Sialkot will now operate from Lahore Airport due to the closure of Sialkot International Airport.Â
This includes flights PK 746 (Jeddah to Sialkot), PK 745 (Sialkot to Jeddah), PK 239 (Sialkot to Kuwait), and PK 244 (Dammam to Sialkot).
PIA confirmed that all affected flights between 10:00 AM and 10:00 PM will be shifted to Lahore, and passengers are advised to stay in contact with the PIA call center at 111-786-786 for the latest updates on schedules.
A NOTAM issued by the Pakistan Civil Aviation Authority confirmed that the Sialkot International Airport would remain closed from 10:00 AM to 10:00 PM.
This shift in operations comes amidst the ongoing disruption caused by the monsoon season, which has led to severe flooding. Reports indicate that floodwaters from the southern side reached near the airport, prompting immediate activation of staff and machinery.
Sialkot has witnessed record-breaking rainfall of 364mm over the past 24 hours, surpassing the previous maximum of 299.2mm recorded on July 31, 1961.
The Pakistan Meteorological Department (PMD) has predicted isolated rain-thundershowers in northeastern Punjab and Kashmir today, with more rainfall expected tomorrow, it said on X.
The National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) issued a weather advisory on Wednesday, predicting widespread torrential rains over the next 48 hours due to monsoon currents from both the Bay of Bengal and the Arabian Sea.Â
The NDMA warned of moderate to heavy rainfall and thunderstorms in various regions of Punjab, including Islamabad, Rawalpindi, and several cities, until September 1.
