PMD issues flood alert amid ongoing rains across the country

Rainfall persisted in most parts of Pakistan, with the Pakistan Meteorological Department (PMD) warning of potential flash floods in multiple areas due to the ongoing downpours.

In the last 24 hours, heavy rainfall was reported in parts of Punjab and Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa.

The PMD has forecast more rain, accompanied by strong winds and thunderstorms, in the next 24 hours across Sindh, northeastern and southern Punjab, eastern Balochistan, K-P, Pothohar, and Azad Jammu and Kashmir.

The department also warned of the possibility of torrential rain in Sindh, northeastern Punjab, and eastern Balochistan. A flood warning has been issued for areas including Dera Ghazi Khan, Koh-e-Suleman, Harnai, Sibi, Jhal Magsi, Kohlu, Naseerabad, Mastung, Kalat, Kharan, Jaffarabad, Zhob, Bolan, Khuzdar, Barkhan, Lasbela, Awaran, Dadu, Murree Galyat, Mansehra, Kohistan, Dir, Swat, Shangla, Nowshera, Swabi, northeastern Punjab, and Kashmir, due to the risk of flash floods in local rivers, streams, and mountainous regions.

The heavy rainfall also poses a risk of flooding in low-lying areas of lower Sindh, Gujranwala, Lahore, Sheikhupura, Kasur, Sialkot, Sargodha, Faisalabad, Nowshera, and Peshawar.

Rainfall swept across Lahore and its surrounding areas on Saturday evening, bringing relief from sweltering heat but causing widespread disruptions.

The showers, varying from light to moderate intensity, impacted several localities, including Lakshmi Chowk, Shimla Pahari, Shahdara, Davis Road, Misri Shah, The Mall, Chauburji, Johar Town, Township, Green Town, Iqbal Town, Gulberg, Mozang, Ferozepur Road, Ichhra and Samanabad.

According to reports, the Shahi Qilla received the heaviest downpour of 50mm, followed by Iqbal Town with 46mm, Lakshmi Chowk 38mm, Tajpura 37mm and Shahdara 35mm. Significant rainfall was also recorded in Gulberg (33mm), Upper Mall (32mm), Township (31mm), Punjab University (30mm), Misri Shah (27mm), Johar Town (26mm), Mughalpura (23mm), Gulshan-e-Ravi (23mm) and Samanabad (22mm). While the rain brought a welcome drop in temperature, providing residents respite from the recent heatwave, it also led to widespread power outages, plunging many areas into darkness.

The heavy rainfall caused severe waterlogging in low-lying areas, creating major challenges for commuters.