Upcountry braces for intense cloudbursts

Heavy rainfall expected in catchment areas of major rivers

ISLAMABAD:

Disaster management authorities are bracing for torrential rains, particularly in K-P, AJK and Punjab, in anticipation of a “vigorous monsoon” as rain lashed upper parts of the country and central and northern Punjab, triggering urban flooding in Lahore on Monday.

The alert issued by the National Disaster Management Authority was prompted by a statement issued by the Pakistan Meteorological Department (PMD), which predicted “vigorous monsoon activity in upper and central parts during this week”

Torrential rainfall in upper parts of the country may cause devastating effects on daily routines. A strong monsoon currents from Arabian Sea and Bay of Bengal are likely to penetrate upper parts of the country from July 3.

Under the influence of the weather system, rain wind/thundershower with few heavy to very heavy falls at times are expected in Kashmir from July 2-7 with occasional gaps.

Rain wind/thundershower with few heavy to very heavy falls at times are expected in Punjab and Islamabad from July 2-07 with occasional gaps.

Rain wind/thundershower with few heavy to isolated very heavy falls are expected in In Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa July 3-7 with occasional gaps.

Based on predictive modelling, the NDMA’s National Emergencies Operation Center (NEOC) has reported a significant activity from the eastern Indian side, indicating intense cloud bursts that may hit Pakistani areas.

“Repeated early warnings have been shared with all provinces, and moderate to heavy rainfall is likely to start over the upper catchments of all major rivers particularly Sutlej, Ravi and Chenab from July 2, 2024,” the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) in its news release said.

The NDMA has also issued an alert regarding lightning, according to which lightning was expected to strike in various cities of South and Central Punjab and Islamabad during July 5-7.