Monsoon currents from the Bay of Bengal are expected to bring heavy rainfall across Pakistan from July 27 to August 3, the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) issued an alert, warning about the imminent threat of flash floods and urban flooding across various regions of the country.
According to the NDMA advisory, heavy to very heavy rainfall is anticipated from July 28 to August 4, potentially causing flash floods in northeastern Punjab, including Deg, Basemter, and Bein nullahs of the River Ravi, as well as the Aik and Palku areas in the Chenab catchment.
Areas in Azad Kashmir such as Neelum Valley, Muzaffarabad, Rawalakot, and others, along with regions in upper Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) including Mardan, Swat, and Malakand, are also at risk.
Urban flooding is expected in cities across Punjab like Lahore, Faisalabad, Sialkot, and Rawalpindi/Islamabad, as well as in southern Sindh cities including Hyderabad, Jamshoro, and Karachi.
Meanwhile, moderate to high flows are anticipated in the River Jhelum, River Kabul, and the River Chenab at various points, with similar conditions expected in the River Indus and hill torrents from the DG Khan division.
The NDMA urged the at-risk populations to avoid floodwaters and seek safe locations away from vulnerable areas.
“Even a mere six inches of moving water can knock you off your feet, and just one foot of moving water can sweep away a vehicle,” the advisory noted. The authority also advised avoiding bridges and weak structures during intense rainfall.
Disaster Alert app
To deal with the expected heavy rains, the NDMA launched the Pak NDMA Disaster Alert application, available on both Google Play Store and iOS, to keep the public informed.
The Provincial Disaster Management Authority (PDMA) in Punjab also issued an alert for all relevant departments to prepare for possible emergencies, particularly in the northeastern districts of the province.
Heavy rainfall on Monday
On July 29, light to heavy rains brought relief from hot and humid weather to various parts of north and northeast Punjab. Attock and its surroundings experienced thundershowers, providing locals a break from the heat. Shakargarh and Narowal also saw rain, bringing smiles to residents weary of the humidity. In Lahore, areas such as Jail Road and Canal Road received drizzles, while cool winds improved the weather.
The twin cities of Rawalpindi and Islamabad also reported rain, with the Met Office forecasting more monsoon rains in Punjab, Sindh, and Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK) over the next two days. Heavy rains are expected in various regions of KP, Punjab, Balochistan, and Sindh, with the potential for torrential downpours in some areas.