PMD warns of heavy rains across Punjab

LAHORE: Pakistan Super League (PSL) matches in Lahore and Rawalpindi are likely to be disturbed owing to widespread rain expected on Thursday, Friday and Saturday, the Pakistan Meteorological Department (PMD) warned on Wednesday.

The PMD has also cautioned the authorities of all departments concerned to take precautionary measures during the forecast period to avoid any loss of life and damage to property. The weather report has predicted widespread showers in upper and central parts of the country from Wednesday to Saturday.

The Met Office highlighted that a strong westerly weather system is likely to enter upper parts of the country on Wednesday, grip upper and central parts on Thursday and persist till Saturday.

Under the influence of this weather system, widespread rain with wind-thunderstorm is expected in all districts of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Kashmir, Gilgit-Baltistan, Islamabad, Rawalpindi, Attock, Jhelum, Chakwal, Mianwali, Sargodha, Khushab, Bhakkar, Faisalabad, Jhang, Toba Tek Singh, Sheikhupura, Lahore, Gujranwala, Sialkot, Gujrat, Hafizabad and Narowal districts from Wednesday to Saturday.

Rain with dust-thunderstorm is also expected in Quetta, Zhob, Pashin, Harnai, Ziarat, Dera Ghazi Khan, Multan, Khanewal, Sahiwal, Okara, Bahawalpur, Bahawalnagar, Khanpur, Rahim Yar Khan, Sukkur, Jacobabad and Larkana districts during Wednesday to Thursday.

At least two killed as rain lashes Karachi

Dust raising winds are expected in lower Sindh including Karachi on Thursday and Friday.

The PMD has warned that the possibility of urban flooding cannot be ruled out in Peshawar, Islamabad, Rawalpindi, Gujranwala, Faisalabad, Sargodha, and Lahore during the period. Past 24 hours: Rain-thunderstorm occurred at isolated places in Kashmir and Kot Addu, Multan, Islamabad, Khanewal, Chaklala, Toba Tek Singh, Bahawalpur, Attock, Dera Ghazi Khan, Murree, Sahiwal, Bhakkar, Faisalabad, Rawalakot, Sargodha and Chakwal districts.

The weather remained dry in all other districts of Punjab.

Met Office highlighted that 18mm rain was recorded in Kot Addu, 12mm in Multan, 10mm in Islamabad City, 8mm in Khanewal, 7mm at Islamabad Airport, 5mm in Chaklala, 4mm in Toba Tek Singh and Bahawalpur Airport, 2mm in Bahawalpur City, Attock and Dera Ghazi Khan, 1mm in Murree and Sahiwal, 0.8mm in Bhakkar and 0.4mm in Faisalabad during past 24 hours. Rain traces were also recorded in Rawalakot, Sargodha City and Chakwal.

Meanwhile, Punjab Disaster Management Authority (PDMA) has also issued a flood alert. The authority has directed all divisional commissioners and deputy commissioners to take necessary precautionary measures in vulnerable areas to avoid loss of life and damage to public and private property in the aftermath of inclement weather.

An official of the PDMA said the authority has already warned local administrations, National Highways Authority, Frontier Works Organisation and C&W departments to remain vigilant to avoid any losses in case of heavy rain and flooding. It has also advised for tourists to be apprised about the weather forecast.

Availability of staff of emergency services will be ensured during the period. The authority has also directed relevant departments to issue necessary instructions to stakeholder in light of the weather forecast.

Published in The Express Tribune, March 5^th, 2020.