Punjab braces for wet Ashura

The Punjab Provincial Disaster Management Authority (PDMA) issued on Sunday a warning of torrential rains expected to hit the province over the next few days, particularly on Muharram 8 and 9 (July 15 and 16).

The PDMA has urged the organisers of mourning processions to take preventive measures in light of the weather forecast. According to a report, heavy downpours were predicted to lash the province starting Sunday night and continuing through Muharram 8 and 9.

A PDMA spokesperson advised procession organisers to stay alert and ensure safety measures are in place. The public was advised to maintain a safe distance from electricity poles and wires, avoid holding majalis on unstable roofs, and stay away from river crossings, streams, and nullahs.

Meanwhile, the Pakistan Meteorological Department (PMD) forecast that Karachi was set to experience drizzle and light rain, following an earlier forecast of a temperature rise in the coming few days before the impact of the new monsoon spell in Sindh from July 18 or 19.

Although Karachi saw some scattered rainfall earlier in the week, residents have continued to endure high temperatures in recent days. With a sea breeze blowing at 18 kilometres per hour, the maximum temperature in the city was expected to range between 34°C and 36°C.

Simultaneously, the Federal Flood Commission (FFC) reported that the Kabul River continued to flow in low flood at the Warsak-Nowshera reach, while all other major rivers, including the Indus, Jhelum, Chenab, Ravi, and Sutlej, were running normally.

According to the FFC’s daily report on Sunday, the current combined live storage of the country’s major reservoirs, including Tarbela, Mangla, and Chashma, stands at 8.374 million acre-feet (MAF) of water, which is 62.86 per cent of the total 13.321 MAF capacity.

A fresh trough of Westerly Wave now lied over northern parts of Afghanistan. Weak moisture from the Arabian Sea was penetrating into Southern Punjab and adjoining areas up to 3,000 feet, while moisture from the Bay of Bengal was still cut off but is likely to revive from Monday.

(WITH INPUT FROM APP)