Murad Ali Shah orders emergency plan for flood preparedness amid rain forecast

In anticipation of heavy rains, Sindh Chief Minister Syed Murad Ali Shah on Monday directed the irrigation department to prepare an emergency plan to handle potential river flooding.

Shah stressed the need for proper coordination among law enforcement agencies, the Pakistan Navy, and all relevant departments to address any emergency situations promptly.

The Meteorological Department provided a detailed briefing to the chief minister, explaining that the monsoon season in Pakistan typically starts on July 1 and continues until mid-September.

He outlined various factors affecting monsoon rains in the country, including sea surface temperatures (SSTs) in the Pacific and Indian Oceans, the subtropical high/Tibetan high (STH/TH), the tropical easterly jet (TEJ), heat low-pressure areas, low-level jets (LLJ), the Madden-Julian Oscillation (MJO), and the Indian Ocean high (IOH) pressure area.

The Met Dept noted that warming in the region and adjacent seas results in low pressure over land and high pressure over the sea. 

According to the Copernicus Climate Change Service, there is a 60-70% chance of above-average rainfall from July to September, and the WMO predicts above-average humidity in Sindh from June to September 2024, with a 60-70% likelihood of increased moisture.