Punjab, Sindh brace for above normal rains

NDMA issues warning of urban flooding, hill torrents in different parts of country

ISLAMABAD/ LAHORE:

Different parts of the country are expected to receive monsoon rains from the first week of July, showers that may cause flooding of rivers and nullah.

According to the monsoon weather projection, issued by the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) on June 22, different parts of Balochistan are expected to receive approximately 15-35 mm of rain in the first week of July; 25-50 mm rain in the second week; 15-25 mm in the third week and 25-50 mm of rainfall in the fourth week.

Different parts of the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (K-P), it said, were likely to receive approximately 15-50 mm of rain in the first week of July; 25-35 mm in the second week; 15-25 mm in the third week and 50-70 mm of rain in the last week of the coming month.

Meanwhile, Punjab braces for 35% above normal rainfall in this monsoon season, which was expected to set in in the province from July 1, the Provincial Disaster Management Authority (PDMA) said in an alert issued to the provincial administrations on Sunday.

According to the PDMA, the monsoon season next week would see 15 to 50 millimetres of rain in the first week, 25 to 35mm in the second week, 15 to 25mm in the third week. The highest rainfall was expected in the last week of July with 50 to 70mm downpour.

The PDMA warned of urban flooding and hill torrents in southern Punjab during the monsoon season. In response to directives from Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz, all relevant departments had been put on high alert.

PDMA Director General Irfan Ali Kathia asked district administrations to take all precautionary measures before the start of the monsoon season. He urged the completion of drainage system cleaning and maintenance of water channels as soon as possible.

Highlighting that pre-emptive measures and cooperation to mitigate the damage caused by natural disasters, Kathia noted that ensuring the safety of citizens’ lives and property was a top priority, with no room for negligence.

Earlier this week, Rawalpindi and its surrounding areas experienced their first pre-monsoon rain, signalling the potential danger of monsoon floods in Nullah Leh and other rain drains.

In Sindh, the Pakistan Meteorological Department (PMD) also forecast above-normal rainfall in Sindh this monsoon season, which was expected to begin after July 5-6. From Monday, it said the weather would be mostly hot and humid, with temperatures possibly exceeding 40°C.

The PMD reported that Karachi could experience rain and thunderstorms beginning from Sunday, with the weather expected to remain hot and humid and the temperatures reaching up to 39°Celsius, and humidity at 75%.